District officials stopped unauthorized work near Sheikhupura gurdwara, sealed the site and initiated legal action
A gurdwara in Punjab. PHOTO: Evacuee Trust Property Board website
The Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) on Friday dismissed reports circulating on social media regarding the alleged demolition of Gurdwara Singh Sabha in Sheikhupura, clarifying that the historic gurdwara remains intact and has not been damaged.
In a clarification, the board said the demolition activity was limited to two shops adjacent to the idle Gurdwara Singh Sabha where tenants had started demolishing the structures without obtaining prior approval from the ETPB.
According to the board, district officials intervened immediately after receiving information about the unauthorized work on June 24, halting the demolition, sealing the site and initiating legal proceedings against those responsible.
The ETPB stated that the original historic gurdwara has remained fully protected and was not affected in any way. It added that while the Sheikhupura Municipal Committee had declared the shops structurally unsafe, any repair, alteration or demolition of properties under the board’s control required prior approval, which had not been obtained by the tenants.
The board said notices had been issued to the tenants, their leases had been canceled and possession of the property had been taken back.
The statement further said that a delegation from the Sikh community, led by Sardar Palwinder Singh, visited the site on June 26 and expressed satisfaction with the prompt action of the board. Punjab Minority Affairs Minister Sardar Ramesh Singh Arora also visited the site along with officials of the district administration on 30 June.
The ETPB reiterated its commitment to preserve the religious heritage and said strict legal action would continue against any unauthorized demolition, alteration or encroachment on properties under its custody.
