Spotlight
oi-Oneindia Staff
A delegation of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjeet) on Wednesday met Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and demanded a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probe into the FIR registered against SGPC member Amarjit Singh Chawla and the developments surrounding the case.
A Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjeet) delegation urged Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann to form an SIT, demanding a swift probe into allegations against SGPC member Amarjit Singh Chawla concerning a Bahraini woman’s arrival, jail stay, and accommodation.
The delegation urged the Chief Minister to constitute a high-level and impartial SIT under the guidance of a senior officer. It also sought completion of the investigation within 15 days and strict legal action against anyone found responsible.
The delegation, comprising senior party leaders and SGPC members, submitted a memorandum to Mann seeking an investigation into how the woman and her daughter-in-law were brought from Bahrain to India.
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 added, “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.”
The delegation also sought an investigation into the woman’s stay in Nabha Jail after she was reportedly arrested at Delhi airport in connection with a fraud case.
“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 also raised allegations concerning several political and religious figures and called for the claims to be independently verified.
It 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.”
The delegation further demanded that the SIT establish whom the woman met during her approximately eight-month stay and why she was accommodated at a premises under the management and supervision of the SGPC.
“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.
It also sought questioning of everyone connected with the administration of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib, including the manager and sewadars who were on duty. The delegation said the probe should also establish who allegedly helped Amarjit Singh Chawla leave the country after the FIR was registered.
The delegation said the allegations had caused concern within the Sikh community and raised questions about the functioning and reputation of Sikh institutions.
“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 said it hoped the Chief Minister would order the SIT probe and ensure legal action against those found responsible.
“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.”
