Ross Gurdwara Committee Member Jermanjit Singh Hundal Admits To Stealing Temple Money!

Khalsa Diwan Society, Vancouver is caught in an alleged theft scandal by temple committee member Jermanjit Singh Hundal, who admitted to taking money from students and not depositing with the temple treasury in his role as an Assistant Treasurer.  The scandal has shed bad light on Gurdwara management and many community members told DESIBUZZCanada that there should be a criminal investigation by a third party or by police. An opposition representative also demanded an independent and impartial investigation. He said the congregation had the right to know who the culprits were and that those individuals involved should be kicked out of the committee and their access to Gurdwara information disabled immediately.  He also said that the committee cannot investigate itself. It is not known whether Hundal has returned the money or agreed to return the money. But the Gurdwara committee needs to tell the congregation and community exactly what happened and how they are disciplining the guilty party. Critics are asking for the immediate dismissal of the guilty party and full disclosure of the incident of money taking, saying there could be many abuses done by Hundal and others.

By PD Raj – Senior Writer DESIBUZZCanada

SOUTH VANCOUVER – Khalsa Diwan Society, Vancouver is caught in an alleged theft scandal by temple committee member Jermanjit Singh Hundal, who admitted to taking money from students and not depositing with the temple treasury in his role as an Assistant Treasurer.  

The scandal has shed bad light on Gurdwara management and many community members told DESIBUZZCanada that there should be a criminal investigation by a third party or by police. 

Temple President Malkit Dhami confirmed that an investigation was underway but initially he refused to disclose the culprit.  But on Friday, Dhami confirmed that it was Hundal who took the money, about $250 each from three renters over several months, and didn’t deposit the total of nearly $2800 into the treasury.

Dhami described Hundal as a former Punjab Vigilance Bureau cop but did not elaborate on why Hundal took the money and why hasn’t the temple management sacked him from his position for this corruption and thievery. He said the temple management has received Hundal’s resignation letter and will meet Saturday to decide his fate.

According to DESIBUZZCanada sources, Hundal has been sacked by the committee. But Hundal has allegedly told Punjabi media that he plans to shed more light on other wrongdoing at the temple involving others at a later date but did not elaborate further.

News of the alleged theft spread like wildfire this week with Punjabi media reporting that Ross Street Gurdwara committee members had allegedly taken large amounts of cash that did not belong to them.   

The alleged wrongdoings included the rental income taken from international students in cash but was not accounted for.  Many students have complained that upwards of $700 per month was taken from them but Dhami said it was $250 from two male renters and $200 from another female remter and it was not the 6-7 students alleged to have been involved but the truth is still out there as it is the temple committee members who have undertaken the investigation and did not involve members from the opposition.  

Jernanjit Singh Hundal (Middle)

Other allegations include committee member allegedly did not report nor submitting these funds during the past year.  Other items allegedly paid in cash with questionable sources of funding. A caller also alleged that donations for food that were made to help out during the COVID crises were not accounted for. 

One of the callers into a radio station alleged that the donations that people gave to help the needy did not get to them and have also gone missing. 

Former Ross President Sohan Singh Deo also called to complain that the media should not have reported this story until the investigation was complete but he was told that the media has the right to report and the community wants to know exactly what happened.   Current President Dhami has admitted that there is an investigation taking place.  

Community members also questioned the legitimacy of an investigation being done by those involved. They said the committee investigating itself is like the Police investigating itself for wrong doings.  They demanded an independent investigation that should also include Gurdwara opposition slate members.

An opposition representative also demanded an independent and impartial investigation.  He said the congregation had the right to know who the culprits were and that those individuals involved should be kicked out of the committee and their access to Gurdwara information disabled immediately.  He also said that the committee cannot investigate itself.   

“By admission of an investigation they have admitted that wrongdoings were done but they continue to hide and protect the guilty,” he said.  “We demand that they acknowledge and accept what has happened and quit hiding.  The congregation has the right to know.”

Opposition representative said that “either the committee tells who it is and kick them out of the committee or else the opposition will take action including police reporting and legal action.  Every time there is wrong doings committed they complain that we take them to court.  So we are telling you ahead of time to do the right thing if not it is you that will be forcing us to seek a legal recourse.  

“The foundation of the Society was built on the blood of martyrs that gave their lives serving this Gurdwara and that standard must be upheld."

But temple officials including Dhami dismissed the allegations and said there is nothing more than Hundal taking the money and not depositing it with the temple and for which he has been fired.

It is not known whether Hundal ever returned the money. But the Gurdwara committee said they have dismissed Hundal and there is nothng more to the story of the theft.