Judge says Sikh society had the right to suspend member over allegations

KAMLOOPS – The Sikh Cultural Society in Kamloops was acting reasonably when it suspended one of its members for alleged inappropriate behaviour, a judge has decided.

Justice Dev Dley’s judicial review of the society’s action brings an end to a five-year disagreement between the society and former member Gurpal Singh Litt. He was a member of the society until June 2013, when his membership was suspended, according to the B.C. Supreme Court decision.

Litt allegedly behaved inappropriately toward several women in the society, which led to a number of complaints filed with the society's board of directors. 

It was made clear in the decision that the board had no direct proof that he inappropriately touched and attempted to look down dresses at the chests of girls and women in the society, but they were suspending him because of numerous complaints that he did.

According to the decision, the board of directors also considered that he stated to members that he had no intention to changing his behaviour. The directors tried to hear Litt’s side of the story but instead he retained counsel and the matter became complicated, in part because several women who complained were married to board members.

The matter went back and forth between the B.C. Supreme Court and the society to ensure fairness and those board members in conflict didn’t consider the matter when the hearing finally took place in July 2017. They decided a few days later he could apply to be a member of the society but could not perform ceremonies or volunteer.

Litt asked Dley to set aside his suspension and find the directors “did not exercise the care, diligence and skill” in performing the functions as a director.

Dley declined.

"The Board was authorized to place the limits and prohibitions on Mr. Litt as set out in its decision letter. It, therefore, follows that the Board acted within the authority granted by the Society constitution," Dley said.

Dley wrote that it's the board's responsibility to maintain conduct in the temple, including the supervision and oversight of activities.

"If the Board was unable to regulate the activities within the Temple, the result would be utter chaos," Dley said. "Anyone, member or not, could strive to advance their own agenda."  

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