An investigation has launched into two connected Sikh charities amid concerns they failed to comply with regulatory guidance issued by the Charity Commission.

The statutory inquiry will look at the conduct of trustees at registered charity Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Wednesfield, and unregistered charity Guru Nanak Gurdwara, which is also known as Nanak Sikh Temple.

The Commission said that Guru Nanak Gurdwara had ignored its order for it to apply to become registered by April this year. Although the regulator adds that it has since applied.

This unregistered charity has been running since 1980, while Guru Gurdwara, Wednesfield registered last year. As it registered so recently it does not have to provide financial information to the regulator until 10 months after its first financial period.

The regulator had previously opened a compliance case into the linked charities after concerns were raised by some of Gurdwara’s congregation over trustees’ oversight of Guru Nanak Gurdwara.

“Further concerns were raised by the formation and registration of a new CIO (charitable incorporated organisation) by some of those trustees,” said the regulator.

“Trustees of both charities have failed to comply with regulatory guidance and with information gathering Orders of the Commission related to these concerns.”

It adds that a failure to comply with an order from the Commission is “misconduct and/or mismanagement in the administration of a charity”.

Guru Nanak Gurdwara, Wednesfield works to advance the Sikh religious in Wednesfield, near Wolverhampton. This includes conducting ceremonies, holding educational events, celebrating festivals and teaching Punjabi, Kirtan, history and martial arts.

The regulator’s investigation will also look at whether there are appropriate controls in place to ensure the charities’ assets are protected and whether there has been any misconduct or mismanagement by trustees.

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