A rape case against Amarjit Singh Chawla, senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader and member of Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) — the body that manages many Sikh shrines — has put both the Akali Dal and the SGPC under scrutiny. The FIR, accessed by NDTV, was registered at Sri Anandpur Sahib police station on August 21 under Sections 64, 127(2) and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
Calls for Action in Ongoing Investigation
Ayali has raised concerns regarding the lack of arrest for Chawla, despite an FIR being filed nearly a month ago. He suggested that the Punjab government may have allowed the accused time to flee the country. Furthermore, Ayali questioned the silence of Acting Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gadgajj, asking if he is aware of the situation. Giani Gadgajj also serves as the Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib, the Sikh shrine in Sri Anandpur Sahib where the alleged incident reportedly occurred. Police have stated that the investigation is ongoing and that evidence is currently being collected.
Waris Punjab De leader and Dakha MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali has questioned the response of the SGPC and Akali Dal leadership and demanded resignations on moral grounds. Ayali has sought an impartial investigation into whose orders the woman was allegedly provided VIP facilities by the SGPC, in what capacity sewadars, a driver and vehicles were allegedly made available to her, and from which SGPC fund she was allegedly given money. He has also demanded that the probe establish whether the woman was allegedly being used against any individual and, if so, at whose behest. Whoever is found guilty in the investigation should not be spared.”
When asked about action against Chawla, acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib Giani Kuldeep Singh Gadgajj said, “The matter is under investigation.
