A delegation of Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjeet) on Wednesday called on the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and sought his kind intervention for constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe into allegations leveled against SGPC member Amarjit Singh Chawla.

A delegation comprising Senior Vice President of the party Karnail Singh Peer Mohammed, General Secretaries Davinder Singh Sodhi and Bhupinder Singh Shekhupur, Executive Committee Member of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) Master Mithu Singh Kaneke and SGPC Member Jaswant Singh Padhaun met the Chief Minister and handed over a memorandum seeking a high-level and impartial investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the First Information Report (FIR) registered against SGPC member Amarjit Singh Chawla and the subsequent developments.

The delegation stated, “For the past several days, serious discussions have been taking place regarding the allegations levelled against Amarjit Singh Chawla, concerning the alleged rape of a woman who had come from abroad to the sacred land of Sri Anandpur Sahib, the birthplace of the Khalsa, allegedly through unethical means. The entire episode and the media reports surrounding it raise several serious questions that necessitate a high-level investigation.”

They continued, “In order to bring the truth of the entire matter before the public, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) headed by a senior, honest and impartial officer should be constituted. The investigation should be completed on a fast-track basis within 15 days, and strict action should be taken against those found responsible in accordance with law. The SIT should be given a mandate to investigate who arranged the air tickets of the said woman and her daughter-in-law for bringing them from Bahrain.”

“Similarly, immediately upon her arrival at New Delhi Airport, the woman was reportedly arrested in connection with a fraud case and lodged in Nabha Jail, where she allegedly received VIP facilities. It should also be investigated whether, during her stay in the jail, she met Bikram Singh Majithia, who was also lodged there at the time. After being released from jail, the woman was shifted to the ‘Bhai Bachittar Singh Niwas’ at Anandpur Sahib, so the SIT should investigate who took her there, which vehicle was used, and who was in contact with her,” they added.

The delegation stated, “As per media discussions, Sarvjit Singh Jhinjer, President of the Shiromani Youth Akali Dal (Badal), allegedly arranged the air tickets, helped secure her release from jail and facilitated her contact with Akali leader Virsa Singh Valtoha. The veracity of these claims should be established through an impartial investigation. The woman has alleged that Giani Malkit Singh, Additional Head Granthi of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, along with driver Mohan Singh and Major Singh Kaveeshar, also allegedly engaged in inappropriate conversations and exchanged objectionable messages with her over the phone, which should also be probed.”

“It should also be investigated whom the woman met during the period of approximately eight months and it should also be examined why the SGPC accommodated her under its management and supervision,” the delegation stated.

The delegation demanded that everyone concerned, from the Manager of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib to the sewadars who were on duty, should be questioned as part of the investigation. Likewise, it should also be investigated after the registration of the FIR, who facilitated Amarjit Singh Chawla’s departure abroad and who provided him with a safe passage.

“Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib is the birthplace of the Khalsa and the allegations in this matter and the prevailing manner of administration have caused considerable concern, surprise and resentment among the Sikh community. The developments have raised serious questions regarding the dignity and reputation of the revered Sikh institutions, particularly the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and Sri Akal Takht Sahib. The psyche of the entire Sikh Community has been bruised through this act for which an impartial and fair probe is a must,” they added.

The delegation stated, “We express hope that the Chief Minister will ensure justice to the Sikh Community by constituting a SIT for probing the matter and ensure action against the perpetrators of this heinous crime on sacred land.”

Aam Aadmi Party Punjab Media In-charge Baltej Pannu on Wednesday questioned the continued silence of Akali Dal (Badal) leaders Sukhbir Singh Badal, Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Bikram Singh Majithia, Congress leaders Partap Singh Bajwa and Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, as well as BJP leaders, over the allegations surrounding the woman and the FIR registered in connection with the matter. He said that while these leaders remained active in rallies and political programmes, they had not come forward to answer the questions being raised about the incident.

Addressing a press conference, AAP Media In-charge Baltej Pannu said, “Akali Dal (Badal) leaders Sukhbir Singh Badal, Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Bikram Majithia, Congress leaders Partap Singh Bajwa and Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, as well as BJP leaders, should answer the questions being raised about this matter. They remain active in rallies and political programmes, but when it comes to answering questions about the FIR and the woman’s stay in the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC)-run sarai, they maintain silence.”

“Why are Congress and BJP representatives not even participating in television debates on this issue? If they have nothing to hide and believe they have answers to the questions being raised across Punjab, they should come forward and answer them,” he said.

The AAP Punjab Media In-charge pointed out, “SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami appeared after nearly a month, but instead of facing the media and answering questions, he issued a video statement. The question is simple: why did Harjinder Singh Dhami not come before journalists and answer the questions being raised about the matter?”

He said, “Harjinder Singh Dhami should also disclose how many gurdwaras under the SGPC have put up boards concerning persons who have been excommunicated. He should also answer the questions surrounding the incident at the sarai in Sri Anandpur Sahib.”

Baltej Pannu noted, “According to the FIR, Akali Dal Badal leader Amarjit Singh Chawla is an accused in the case. The public wants to know how a woman could stay in an SGPC-run sarai for more than six months. Who arranged her stay? Who arranged the rooms? How were SGPC staff and other facilities allegedly provided to her? These questions cannot be avoided by issuing a video statement.”

He reasoned, “Harjinder Singh Dhami should come before the press and answer these questions. These are not questions being raised by one journalist or one television channel. These are questions being raised across Punjab and among members of the Sikh community.”

“Whenever questions were raised earlier about alleged irregularities involving dry rotis, vegetables during the Covid period and ghee, Harjinder Singh Dhami had described such matters as ‘small scams’ that kept happening. Files relating to alleged irregularities were also submitted to the Akal Takht Jathedar, but questions remained unanswered,” said Baltej Pannu.

The AAP Media In-charge asserted, “The latest incident has raised further questions about what was happening inside the SGPC-run sarai and who facilitated the woman’s stay there. The SGPC administration must explain how such a situation continued for months and who was responsible for providing the rooms and facilities.”

Baltej Pannu also questioned the conduct of Akali Dal Badal leaders after the woman approached the police and an FIR was registered. “Instead of answering questions about the allegations and the circumstances surrounding the FIR, some Shiromani Akali Dal leaders are making personal and derogatory remarks about the woman on television channels. The focus should be on establishing the facts through the investigation, not on targeting the woman,” he said.

“The woman has herself stated that she handed over her phone to the police and asked the investigators to examine and make public whatever chats, photographs or other material are relevant to the investigation. If there is material relevant to the case, let the investigating agency examine it and establish the facts,” he added.

Baltej Pannu pointed out, “Sukhbir Singh Badal and Harsimrat Kaur Badal have not held a press conference on this issue. Bikram Majithia and other opposition leaders have also remained silent. The public deserves answers about who arranged the woman’s stay, who provided the rooms and facilities, and what role different Akali Dal Badal functionaries played in the matter.”.

Addressing SGPC President,Baltej Pannu demanded, “Harjinder Singh Dhami must explain why he chose to issue a video statement instead of appearing before journalists and taking questions. The administration of the SGPC-run sarai has to explain how a woman was able to stay there for more than six months and who facilitated this arrangement.”

Baltej Pannu said the incident had also raised questions about the functioning and autonomy of religious institutions. “The Sikh community and the people of Punjab have every right to ask questions about the functioning of religious institutions. There are serious questions about the excessive control exercised by the Badal family over these institutions. Sikh intellectuals and the wider Punjabi community should speak up on this issue,” he said.

“Religious institutions belong to the Sikh community and their functioning must remain transparent and accountable. Prolonged political control over religious institutions can further damage public trust in them,” concluded Baltej Pannu.