Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Monday clarified that the FIR registered in connection with the 328 missing saroops of Guru Granth Sahib was filed following demands from several Sikh bodies and Panthic organisations. He urged the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to cooperate fully with the ongoing investigation.

Mann’s remarks came a day after the five Singh Sahiban, heads of the five Sikh temporal seats, warned the Punjab government against interfering in the internal affairs of Sikhs, asserting that the SGPC is the democratically elected Panthic authority and that the Constitution of India prohibits government interference in religious matters.

Addressing the media in Chandigarh, Mann questioned how the FIR registration could be viewed as “interference in Sikh matters” when the whereabouts of the saroops remain unknown. “There is no revenge in it. We and the Sangat want to know who has these saroops,” he said, emphasizing that the SGPC must cooperate and provide records to facilitate legal action against the culprits.

Mann also pointed to a previous SGPC resolution, which had advocated legal action regarding the missing saroops, highlighting that the apex gurdwara body itself had called for a probe in the past.

When asked about those named in the FIR, Mann confirmed that they will be summoned. “Will summon them. We will see who does not appear. Why have those named in the FIR gone underground? They should come forward to give the details,” he said.

The FIR was filed by Amritsar Police on December 7 against 16 individuals, including a former SGPC chief secretary, in connection with the disappearance of the saroops from the SGPC publication house in Amritsar in 2020. The SGPC has described the FIR as a direct challenge to the Akal Takht and an unwarranted interference in its administrative rights.

The matter first came to public attention in June 2020, triggering widespread controversy. An Akal Takht-appointed panel had conducted an inquiry at the time and found several SGPC officials guilty of misconduct.

Mann reiterated that the FIR was filed in response to persistent demands from Sikh organisations and Panthic bodiesfor a comprehensive investigation. He noted that many Sant Samaj organisations had submitted memorandums urging the state government to take action. A special investigation team (SIT) has been formed to probe the case.

The Singh Sahiban, in their directive on Sunday, had contended that the government was justifying its legal action based on the Ishar Singh Commission report. However, they pointed out that the report clearly recommended that the issue should be resolved through Akal Takht authority and SGPC institutions, rather than through government or police intervention.

Referring to past clarifications, the top Sikh clergy cited a statement by then Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singhfrom November 17, 2020, asserting that the issue was related to administrative corruption and financial negligence, and that the SGPC had already dismissed the guilty employees. The Singh Sahiban concluded that any cooperation with the government or police in this matter is not in the Panth’s interest, maintaining that the issue falls under internal Panthic jurisdiction.

The ongoing tension underscores the delicate balance between legal enforcement and religious autonomy in Punjab, with the state government calling for transparency and accountability, while the SGPC and Panthic authorities emphasize internal resolution according to religious and administrative norms.