Chandigarh: Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) president Harjinder Singh Dhami on Saturday strongly criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab over the registration of an FIR in connection with the disappearance of 328 ‘saroops’ (copies) of the Guru Granth Sahib. Dhami accused the government of interfering in the administrative jurisdiction of the apex gurdwara body with the sole aim of gaining “political mileage.”

SGPC Asserts Jurisdictional Authority

Dhami emphasised that the SGPC is an elected constitutional body under the Sikh Gurdwaras Act, 1925, and any investigation in the matter must respect the committee’s administrative rights. Responding to questions on why the SGPC was not cooperating with the police, he stated:

“We have nothing to do with the 16 people against whom the FIR has been registered. The entire issue concerns the jurisdiction of the SGPC. The records are lying with the Akal Takht. My only point is about jurisdiction.”

The SGPC president added that he would not allow government interference in the committee’s internal matters, asserting that any action should be taken against him rather than the employees of the organisation. He also criticised the summoning of SGPC employees and the call for records by the police, terming it “unwarranted.”

“They are making it an excuse to finish the biggest organisation of the qaum. Their sole purpose is to take political mileage,” Dhami said, targeting the AAP government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Investigation and Police Action

The case pertains to the disappearance of 328 saroops from the SGPC’s publication house in Amritsar, which came to light in June 2020, sparking a major controversy. Following the FIR registration on December 7, 2025, in Amritsar, the police arrested chartered accountant Satinder Singh Kohli. The FIR names 16 individuals, including SGPC’s former chief secretary and Kohli, under IPC sections 295, 295-A, 409, 465, and 120-B.

A special investigation team has conducted raids at 15 locations across Chandigarh, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Rupnagar, and Tarn Taran. Searches included the residence of CA Kohli in Chandigarh and places linked to other accused. Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar said:

“Whatever evidence we will get will be brought on record.”

Background and Past Inquiries

After the issue surfaced in 2020, an Akal Takht-appointed panel conducted an inquiry into the matter. Several SGPC officials were found guilty of misconduct during that investigation.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, on December 29, 2025, defended the FIR registration, stating that it was done following demands from several Sikh bodies for a thorough probe. He criticised the SGPC for allegedly failing to trace the missing saroops and accused the apex gurdwara body of “using the Akal Takht as a shield” to protect individuals close to their superiors.

Controversy and Political Tensions

The FIR and subsequent investigation have sparked tensions between the Punjab government and SGPC. While the government insists on a transparent probe to recover the sacred saroops, SGPC leadership maintains that the matter falls within its administrative jurisdiction, framing the issue as political interference rather than a criminal investigation.

As the investigation continues, both sides have remained firm in their positions: the AAP government asserting accountability and investigation, and the SGPC defending its autonomy over internal affairs related to the Sikh holy scriptures.

The case remains sensitive due to the religious significance of the saroops, the SGPC’s status as the apex gurdwara authority, and the political overtones surrounding the investigation.