Regulator rules Khalistan boards at Slough gurdwara did not breach charity law

A Sikh charity in Slough has received an official warning from the Charity Commission after finding repeated failures to file its accounts on time.

The regulator has concluded a review into governance concerns at Sri Guru Singh Sabha, which promotes the Sikh religion, Punjabi language and culture, and operates a gurdwara.

Following complaints about alleged political activity at the charity’s premises in November 2019, a regulatory compliance case began the next month.

The Charity Commission, an independent government department that regulates charities, met with representatives of the charity in April 2020 to better understand the context in which the display of two boards referencing Khalistan was at the charity’s premises.

The investigation considered whether boards displaying the word ‘Khalistan’ at the gurdwara breached charity law and the Commission’s guidance on campaigning and political activity.

Khalistan holds theological importance in the Sikh faith and, to some, represents advocacy for an independent Sikh state.

During its case, the Commission sought evidence from sector representatives, stakeholders and specialists to assess the complaint, including MPs' representations.

This meeting also enabled the regulator to discuss financial reporting concerns it had identified during its assessment, including the charity’s persistent late filing of accounting information.

The charity had repeatedly filed its annual accounting documents late in five non-consecutive years – 2017, 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2024 – and the regulator determined that governance weaknesses at the charity required remedial action.

Auditors also raised concerns in 2022 and 2024 about aspects of the charity’s accounts, including the need for stronger controls over cash donations and the adoption of a proper accounting system.

Joshua Farbridge, head of compliance visits and inspections at the Charity Commission, said trustees have a responsibility to ensure financial transparency.

“Trustees have a duty, in law, to file their accounting information on time and owe it to their beneficiaries and the public to be transparent and accountable,” he said.

“This charity failed to meet this duty repeatedly, and so we have acted – by issuing a formal warning.

“As a result, the commission issued the charity with an official warning, stating the failures amounted to a breach of the trustees’ legal duties.

“Our case, which assessed a number of concerns raised, has now come to an end.

“We are satisfied, based on evidence supplied by the charity, that steps have been taken to address governance weaknesses. The charity can now move forward in a stronger position.”

In response, the commission issued a regulatory action plan to the trustees in December 2024, requiring improvements to governance and financial procedures.

Measures included updating the charity’s governing document, introducing safeguarding policies such as Disclosure and Barring Service checks, and ensuring future accounts are submitted on time.

The regulator said the charity has acted on the regulatory action plan to address the issues, and the case has now been closed.

The Commission issued the charity with an Official Warning on March 4 over lapses in financial reporting, while recognising that many current trustees were not in post when the failures took place.

Following a review of the evidence last year, the regulator accepted that Khalistan holds theological significance within Sikhism and found the displays featured the word without political messaging.

The Charity Commission concluded the boards did not promote the creation of an independent Sikh state and determined the displays were consistent with the charity’s religious objectives, and therefore not in breach of charity law.

Mr Farbridge said the findings should help clarify the rules for other religious charities.

He added: “This case involved a complex and sensitive matter regarding the display of ‘Khalistan boards’.

“It required time for us to thoroughly review a substantial amount of material and consult with experts and stakeholders.

“This finding will help bring clarity to others – ensuring religious charities are freely able to honour an important aspect of their faith without breaching the laws that apply to all registered charities.”

Sri Guru Singh Sabha was contacted for comment.