Bribery and illegal auction allegations Raised Over 4 Kanal Gurdwara Property 

A Senate committee has raised serious questions over the demolition of structures and shops around the historic Dam Dama Sahib Gurdwara

Islamabad:  A Senate committee has raised serious questions over the demolition of structures and shops around the historic Dam Dama Sahib Gurdwara in Rawalpindi, expressing concern that the work continued despite clear instructions not to demolish any building until a final decision had been made.

The controversy also involves allegations of bribery, misuse of official authority and an auction of the four kanal property for development purposes held on January 9, 2024. The Senate panel has called for complete records, summoned relevant officials and announced a visit to the site to examine the situation.

The Sub Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony met at Parliament Lodges under the chairmanship of Senator Danesh Kumar. Senators Ațța ul Haq and Nasir Mehmood also attended the meeting.

At the start, the committee expressed serious concern over the absence of key officials, including the Secretary of Religious Affairs, the Chairman of the Evacuee Trust Property Board (ETPB) and the Minister. Members said the absence of senior officials and failure to follow earlier committee instructions weakened government accountability.

The committee chairman recalled that clear instructions had been issued at the previous meeting on October 7 that no structures or shops should be demolished until a final decision was reached. He expressed serious concern that demolition work had continued despite those instructions.

The State Minister for Religious Affairs told the committee that government policy guided such matters and that official decisions should be followed.

The panel examined the legal status and history of the four kanal property, known as Dam Dama Sahib Gurdwara. The property includes the inner Gurdwara premises measuring two kanals and 14 marlas, along with 31 commercial units outside the main religious building.

Affected residents and committee members raised concerns that although the Gurdwara building itself remained intact, surrounding structures and adjoining properties were being demolished. They questioned the action being taken against the commercial units and other structures connected with the property.

Allegations of bribery and administrative irregularities were also raised in connection with the property and its auction for development purposes on January 9, 2024. However, the meeting record provided does not establish that bribery took place or identify any person as having received an illegal payment. The allegations require investigation and examination of the auction and property records.

Committee members stressed that government and evacuee trust properties belong to the state and cannot be transferred, changed or used as private property without following the law. They warned that no individual or authority should take the law into its own hands.

The committee also highlighted the need to protect religious properties and deal with the matter in a fair manner, keeping both legal and humanitarian concerns in view.

To improve oversight, the panel directed that a complete list of all evacuee trust properties, including Gurdwaras and temples across the region, be prepared and submitted. The list is expected to help the committee review the status and management of these properties.

The chairman also announced that the committee would visit Dam Dama Sahib to inspect the site and assess the situation directly. All relevant government officials and stakeholders have been summoned to the next meeting and directed to bring complete documentary evidence.

The absence of the Religious Affairs Secretary and ETPB Chairman, the continuation of demolition despite the October 7 instructions and the unresolved questions surrounding the January 2024 auction have placed the property’s management under parliamentary scrutiny.

The next meeting and the planned site visit are expected to help establish the legal status of the commercial units, the basis of the auction and the authority under which demolition work was carried out.