The Punjab Bureau of Investigation (PBI) has reconstituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the alleged disappearance of 328 sacred saroops (printed copies) of Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
The fresh order, issued on February 25, 2026, and signed by L. K. Yadav, IPS, Director, Punjab Bureau of Investigation, Chandigarh, reconstitutes the SIT to investigate FIR No. 168 dated December 7, 2025, registered at Police Station C-Division, Amritsar.
The FIR has been registered under Sections 295, 295-A, 409, 465, and 120-B of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
The order supersedes previous office orders dated December 22, 2025, January 2, 2026, and January 9, 2026, relating to the constitution of the SIT. However, this marks the second SIT in the case since its registration.
Composition of the Fresh SIT (February 25, 2026)
The reconstituted SIT comprises:
- Sh. Nanak Singh, IPS – Deputy Inspector General of Police, Rupnagar Range – Chairman
- Ms. Darpan Ahluwalia, IPS – Senior Superintendent of Police, Khanna – Member
- Sh. Gurbans Singh Bains, PPS – SP (Detective), Patiala – Member
- Sh. Sukhnaaz Singh, PPS – SP, Special Branch, SAS Nagar (Mohali) – Member
- Sh. Harminder Singh, PPS – ACP (Detective), Police Commissionerate Amritsar – Member
- Sub-Inspector Rajwant Kaur (No. 43/BRT) – SHO, Police Station C-Division, Amritsar – Member
The SIT will function under the supervision of Sh. Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, IPS, Commissioner of Police, Amritsar.
The Commissioner of Police, Amritsar, has been directed to provide logistical support for a “fair, scientific and expeditious” investigation. The SIT has also been authorised to co-opt additional officers with prior approval of the PBI Director.
Composition of the First SIT (December 2025)
The first SIT constituted in December 2025 included:
- Jagpreet Singh – AIG Vigilance Mohali – Chairman
- Ravinderpal Singh Sandhu – DCP (Investigation), Police Commissionerate Amritsar – Member
- Harpal Singh Sandhu – Additional DCP, Police Commissionerate Amritsar – Member
- Gurbans Singh Bains – SP (Detective), Patiala – Member
- Beant Juneja – ACP, Ludhiana – Member
- Harminder Singh – ACP (Detective), Police Commissionerate Amritsar – Member
That SIT also functioned under the supervision of CP Gurpreet Singh Bhullar.
Background of the Case
The issue traces back to June 2020 when discrepancies were reported in SGPC records at its Amritsar printing press. It was found that 328 saroops printed between 2013 and 2015 could not be properly accounted for.
An inquiry committee constituted by the Akal Takht and headed by Advocate Ishar Singh highlighted serious irregularities, including allegations of forgery, breach of trust, and possible sacrilege.
Following sustained protests and demands by Sikh organisations, Punjab Police registered FIR No. 168 on December 7, 2025, naming 16 accused, including former SGPC Chief Secretary Roop Singh and other officials linked to the Dharam Parchar Committee and finance wing.
Investigation Progress
Since registration of the FIR, the investigation has led to:
- Raids at 14 locations in early January 2026
- Arrest of former SGPC auditor/CA Satinderpal Singh Kohli
- Arrest of Kanwaljit Singh
- Recovery of 169 saroops from Banga in Nawanshahr district
- Seizure of electronic devices and financial records
- Multiple rounds of questioning of SGPC officials
The SGPC has maintained that the matter concerns administrative lapses rather than deliberate sacrilege and has accused the government of politicising the issue.
Sensitive Religious Issue
The disappearance of Guru Granth Sahib saroops is a matter of deep religious concern for the Sikh community, where any mishandling of the holy scripture is viewed as a grave issue.
With the second SIT now in place under fresh leadership, the probe continues amid intense public, religious, and political scrutiny.
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