A granthi has been accused of stealing thousands of pounds from sangat and Guru’s Golak from many Gurdwaras in UK. It has been reported by Sikh24.com that Lakhwinder Singh used his position as a Granthi to borrow money from unsuspecting members of sangat. It has been said that he borrows money for various reasons like; his wife will leave him if he did not send money to her in India or that his father or any other family member was unwell. Once his actions become apparent, he runs away from that place.
In a latest incident, he conducted a sewa at Gurdwara Sahib Reading where his back checks did not reveal anything at first. But in a few months’ time, rumors about his activities started to surface and it was brought to the management committee’s attention.
A sevadar at Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara Sahib, Reading, Parmvir Singh said that Lakhwinder took advantage of his position as a Granthi and the sangat’s respect for them. It is believed that the sangat at that gurdwara gave Lakhwinder a sum of around £5,000. He apparently, also promised to conduct an interfaith marriage and took £1,000 from that party alone. Not only this, he has been accused of stealing from Guru’s Golak.
“He also stole money which was given to him as deposits for Akhand Paaths or other Gurdwara programmes, therefore stealing directly from the Guru’s Golak.”
When confronted, Lakhwinder initially did not admit to any wrong doing but eventually gave in and apologised for his behaviour. He also asked for forgiveness.
But soon after, a sangat member informed the committee that Lakhwinder was seen at a local betting shop not too far from the Gurdwara. A video proof proved the information correct and it came to light that he was a serial gambler who was stealing money to feed his addiction.
On being confronted, he admitted his wrong-doing and asked if he could present himself in front of Panj Pyare for forgiveness. But on the day he was due for his Pesh, he ran away with an accomplice.
Since then, it has come to light that Lakhwinder has been running this scam for some time. He has borrowed money from people in Hitchin, Birmingham, Luton and Bradford. It is likely that there are more Gurdwara’s that Lakhwinder has scammed that are not known about yet. Parmvir Singh has adviced all Gurdwaras in UK to stay alert and not to hire Lakhwinder if he approaches them. He also pointed out that Lakhwinder may try to provide fake paper work regarding his visa as the paperwork that he left behind in Reading Gurdwara in a hast to leave shows that his application to stay was rejected on 12th November 2014.
