TORONTO: A globe-trotting Sikh high priest who owns a String of franchise temples including one in Oakville is being probed by Halton Regional Police.

 More than 100 congregation members of the Nanaksar Thath Isher Darbar temple on Ninth Line have signed & petition demanding self-proclaimed saint Baba Amar Singh be tossed out. The mysterious and secretive Baba Amar Singh 50 runs several schools and a franchise of 18 temples in England Australia New Zealand U-S. And India congregation members said.

 Singh who is an Indian citizen was last in Toronto in February year He stayed one night.

He established Nanaksar church in Toronto in 1981 before moving to an 11-acre$1.6 million Oakville temple in June 1990

The Jan.16 petition stated that since the church was incorporated there’s been no general meeting held to elect directors

The petition alleged that since 1989 Amar Singh had transferred more than $500,000 in donations overseas to fund his other churches. Where are the funds that were collected and where were these utilized? the petition asked. How can the members trust you now?

Halton Regional Police Det. Sgt. Peter Hodgson said police were called to the temple about noon March 13.

It appears to be some political problem at the temple Hodgson. Said Two groups have been set up.

Hodgson said police have launched a criminal probe.

There was some concern about certain activities of a prior member of the board of directors Hodgson said.

Amar Singh is being sued by members of the family of Gumack Singh of Toronto who were former disciples before the high priest allegedly sold their$180000 home without their consent.

Kuldip Singh Sodhi of the Ontario Federation of Sikhs said Amar Singh is one of three self-proclaimed saints the Sikh religion in Canada.

He (Amar Singh) is a cancer to the Sikh religion Sodhi said. This person is running a cult in the Sikh religion. About 99% of the Sikhs do not believe in what he is preaching. He is in it for the money.

 Allegations of sexual abuse to congregation members and fraud are rampant by church members the temples lawyer William Whittaker refused comment or to relay a message to Amar Singh.

Amar Singh who’s believed to be in England could not be reached for comment.

Article extracted from this publication >> March 18, 1994