CHANDIGARH, Dec 19 — The Punjab and Haryana High Court has maintained disciplinary action against SGPC employees involved in unauthorized distribution of Holy Saroops, even as it confirmed that writ petitions challenging such actions are permissible.
Justice Harpreet Singh Brar, hearing multiple petitions including one from a publication department supervisor, said the employees had a duty to maintain the Holy Saroops. “Insistence on an exhaustive disciplinary proceeding was unwarranted when the termination was backed by a proper inquiry,” he said.
The court also rejected the contention that SGPC service rules were non-statutory and contractual. Examining Section 69 of the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, Justice Brar held that the executive committee has statutory authority to determine service conditions, including framing rules governing employees.
He added that adherence to natural justice principles is required, but procedural deviations do not invalidate disciplinary action if no prejudice is caused. The court found the petitioners misused their positions, dismissed the petitions, and upheld the suspension and termination orders.
