AMRITSAR/CHANDIGARH, December 11 — The Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) on Thursday urged acting Akal Takht jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj to issue directions on the FIR filed against 16 individuals in the case of 328 missing holy saroops of Guru Granth Sahib.
SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami said the Punjab government’s move is a “political conspiracy aimed at defaming the premier Sikh institution” and an unnecessary interference in Akal Takht’s administrative authority. “The issue is not one of sacrilege but financial misappropriation committed by employees,” he said during a briefing after the executive committee meeting.
The FIR, registered on December 7, cites violations of IPC sections 295, 295-A, 409, 465, and 120-B. It comes years after the saroops were reported missing and after the Akal Takht-directed inquiry had recommended only internal action.
Dhami said the SGPC had already taken appropriate action based on the inquiry report, including resolutions in 2020 and 2021. He alleged that the participation of Punjab ministers, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, and MLAs in protests near Sri Darbar Sahib shows the government is exploiting the issue for political gain.
Acting jathedar Giani Gargaj said the SGPC had addressed the matter internally. “This case pertains to financial mismanagement, not sacrilege,” he said, adding that the government’s involvement demonstrates political motives. Dhami also noted that a Hindi book on Sikh history had been withdrawn by SGPC years ago, but its repeated use in public debate is politically driven.
The SGPC said it will forward the matter to the jathedar for further deliberation and any subsequent directives.
