Giani Raghbir Singh

Giani Raghbir Singh was Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib from June 2023 to March 2025 and, until February 2026, Head Granthi of Sri Harmandir Sahib. As Jathedar he led the five Singh Sahiban who declared Sukhbir Singh Badal tankhaiya in 2024, and he has since become one of the SGPC's sharpest critics.

Key moments

• 16 June 2023: the SGPC executive names him regular Jathedar of Akal Takht, in place of Giani Harpreet Singh, who had held it as acting Jathedar and who, the SGPC said, volunteered to step back. He took charge on 22 June, the first regular Jathedar in four years and eight months, with additional charge as Head Granthi of the Golden Temple (The Tribune).
• 30 August 2024: the five Singh Sahiban, unanimously, declare Sukhbir Singh Badal tankhaiya for the mistakes of his party and government in 2007 to 2017, and give him 15 days to appear (The Tribune).
• 2 December 2024: Raghbir Singh announces the tankhah from the Akal Takht. Sukhbir Badal and Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa are to do sewa in sewadar dress, the title Fakhr-e-Qaum given to Parkash Singh Badal in 2011 is withdrawn, and a committee is told to run a membership drive and party elections within six months (ThePrint).
• 7 March 2025: the SGPC executive removes him as Jathedar and appoints Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj as acting Jathedar. He stays Head Granthi. The Tribune's report gives no reasons. He said Gargaj's installation broke maryada because it was done in secret; the SGPC called that propaganda (The Tribune).
• 18 February 2026: at a media event he alleges corruption in the SGPC and by the Badal family, including wrongful sale of SGPC property, bribes of up to Rs 5 lakh for akhand paths at special locations, and the 328 missing saroops. These are his allegations; The Tribune reports no investigation or finding.
• 26 February 2026: after a 72-hour notice issued on 19 February, the SGPC relieves him as Head Granthi. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said he gave no written evidence and broke service regulations. Raghbir Singh said the decision was expected, accepted it without grievance, and said he holds documents on an alleged langar scam that he will show the sangat (The Tribune, ETV Bharat).
• June 2026: he records a statement before the SIT investigating the October 2015 Behbal Kalan firing. The Tribune reports that he reportedly told it that unarmed protesters were targeted under a conspiracy during the Akali government. Sukhbir Badal attacked him and alleged he was working for AAP (The Tribune, 11 June 2026).

Remembered for: heading the Takht when it declared Sukhbir Badal tankhaiya and pronounced the tankhah in 2024, and for his public allegations against the SGPC after his removal. Sukhbir Badal says he is working for AAP. Raghbir Singh has described his own role as informing the sangat of administrative misconduct (The Tribune).