Mahant Charan Das was controlling the Gurdwara at Sri Kiratpur Sahib. The news of the capture of the Gurdwaras at Sri Anandpur Sahib soon reached him. He immediately started with the collection of various weapons and manpower and made preparations for a showdown. He challenged the Khalsa Army to set foot on the land of Sri Kiratpur Sahib.
Notwithstanding the threats, a Guru Ka Sikh residing in the area approached Sant Baba Harnam Singh ji and requested, “Please bless me and permit me to liberate the Kiratpur Sahib Gurdwara. I will do it without a fight.” This gentleman did not disclose his identity. It was though well known that he was quite close to Mahant Charan Das and had inside information about the extent of the preparation.
Sant Baba ji judged this man with his spiritual eye and permitted him to go ahead with the task.
After being blessed, this man came to Sri Kiratpur Sahib. After planning for a few days the strategy to be adopted, he sent a message on 14th January 1922 to Sant Baba ji requesting for fifteen Sikhs of the Khalsa Army who would climb a bamboo ladder and reach the floor of the Mahant from the rear of the building. All of them were to reach the floor quietly and not raise any slogans. He would be present on the premises and would arrange to unlock the room of the Mahant from inside at the crucial moment.
A fifteen-member group under the control of Jathedar Kartar Singh Boojhowali was assigned to perform this task. Using a ladder they noiselessly climbed to the first floor of the premises, in the quiet of the night on the specified date and time. Mahant Charan Das was caught unawares sleeping on his bed. He was not allowed to raise any alarm and was easily subdued.
During the night itself, he was presented before Jathedar Partap Singh Moila, Jathedar of Takhat Sri Kesgarh Sahib.
Jathedar ji sent information about his capture to Sant Baba ji and sought his instructions for the treatment to be meted out to the Mahant.
Sant Baba ji advised that since the Gurdwara of Sri Kiratpur Sahib had been captured peacefully, the Mahant should therefore be treated with all kindness.
Jathedar ji kept the Mahant under his own special care. He however advised the Mahant, “The historic Gurdwaras were bound to come under the control of the panth one day. Do not therefore think of taking any retaliatory action. It will be better for everyone concerned if the complete charge of all the buildings/material articles etc. in the Gurdwara is peacefully handed over to the panth.”
Mahant ji saw the writing on the wall and did not interfere in the affairs from then on. Jathedar Partap Singh Moila sent his men under the command of three leaders, Jathedar Puran Singh Bahowaal, Jathedar Teja Singh Paaldi and Jathedar Kartar Singh Bahowaal to liberate the buildings of the Gurdwara from the control of the men of the Mahant. There was no resistance faced by these Jathedars, as word had already spread and these mercenaries knew about the capture of the Mahant.
Guards were posted by the Jathedars to keep a watch on the buildings round the clock.
The skies reverberated with the slogans of victory raised by the men of Khalsa Army.
Jathedar Partap Singh Moila along with Sant Baba ji then came to the Gurdwara at Sri Kiratpur Sahib. Everyone was full of praise for Sant Baba ji’s efforts and his encouragement. Sant Baba ji refused to accept credit and said that the liberation was a result of the enthusiasm shown by the local people. The crucial mission was a success, only because of their wholehearted support and that was why there had been no bloodshed.
The people of Doaba thanked Sant Baba ji for his leading by example. They had earlier been divided but promised to henceforth shed the enmity among themselves.