Son of former Akal Takht chief charged for alleged sexual interference with youth

GURPREET SINGH
RADIO INDIA 

Ajai Singh, the son of former head of the Akal Takhat Puran Singh (pictured above in a file photo), is facing charges stemming from an incident reported to Abbotsford Police on Feb. 9, 2013. AFP/Getty Images

The son of a former chief of the Akal Takht — the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs — has been charged with sexual interference of a youth in Abbotsford.

Ajai Singh, a raagi (hymn singer) with the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, the apex religious body of the Sikh community, was visiting Canada when the incident was reported to the Abbotsford Police on Feb. 9.

APD spokesman Ian McDonald confirmed that Ajai Singh, 37, faces charges. He could not reveal further details as the alleged victim is a minor. There is a publication ban on reporting the details of the incident.

Ajai Singh’s father, Puran Singh, is a former head of the Akal Takhat, which issues edicts concerning the Sikh community across the world. It is the same body that issued a controversial edict on langar, or the community kitchen, which brought divisions in the local Sikh community.

In the meantime, Ajai Singh has been suspended by the SGPC for the alleged misconduct.

Tags: Ajai Singh, Akal Takht, Puran Singh