Amritsar, Dec. 20 -- The Akal Takht on Friday formally pardoned former Khemkaran MLA Virsa Singh Valtoha after he completed the tankhah (religious punishment) for his "objectionable acts" on Friday. Valtoha was awarded tankhah by the Sikh clergy, led by Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj on December 8, for making derogatory remarks against the then jathedars of Takhts in October 2024. On Friday, Valtoha offered Rs.1,100 to the Takht for 'karah prasad' and deposited Rs.1,100 in the 'golak' before conducting a forgiveness 'ardas' under the tankhah. After this, he was handed over a certificate of tankhah completion by the Takht staff. Following his atonement, 10-year long ban under which he could not become part of the SAD, was lifted by the Takht. As part of the religious punishment, he was ordered to perform three days of service - washing utensils and cleaning footwear - for an hour daily at the Harmandar Sahib langar hall, for two days at Darbar Sahib in Tarn Taran, and one day each at Takht Damdama Sahib and Takht Kesgarh Sahib. He was told to recite prescribed prayers for 11 days. htc...