Giani Gurbachan Singh Thursday night resigned as Jathedar of Akal Takht, thehighest temporal seat of Sikhs, citing ill health as reason.
He forwarded his resignation letter to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee President Gobind Singh Langowal and the executive members of the SGPC, the release issued to the media said.
"Because of age-related health issues, it has become tough for him to serve this spiritual and pious seat ,the release said
Singh had created a controversy by pardoning Dera Sacha Sauda sect head Gurmit Ram Rahim Singh in September 2015 in a blasphemy case. However, he had to revoke the pardon after facing backlash from the Sikh community.,