Amritsar, January 12, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
In a significant and unexpected development, Akal Takht Acting Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj has directed the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to extend cooperation to the Special Investigation Team (SIT) of Punjab Police in the ongoing probe into the case of 328 missing saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, keeping in view the larger interests of the Khalsa Panth.
The directive marks a clear shift amid SGPC’s earlier position that it would not assist the SIT, asserting that as an autonomous religious body, it was fully competent to address the matter internally. SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami and several Akali leaders had earlier described the registration of an FIR and constitution of an SIT as unwarranted interference in the functioning of the Sikh institution.
Jathedar Cites Ishar Singh Commission Findings
In a detailed statement issued through a Facebook post from the Akal Takht Jathedar’s official page, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj underlined that Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji is the living and eternal Guru of the Sikhs, revered by devotees across the world. Referring to the inquiry into the missing saroops, he recalled that an investigation commission headed by S. Ishar Singh was constituted by the Akal Takht itself.
The Ishar Singh Commission report, approved by the Akal Takht, concluded that the saroops were issued to the sangat through collusion of certain SGPC employees and officials, without depositing prescribed bheta (offerings) into trust funds and without issuing bills. The report categorised the matter as administrative corruption and financial misappropriation, rather than doctrinal or religious misconduct.
The commission identified 16 accused individuals, all of whom were held guilty by the Akal Takht. Acting on Akal Takht’s directions, the SGPC had already initiated departmental action against them. The Jathedar also recalled that former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh had publicly stated in 2020 that the case involved embezzlement by corrupt employees, leading to their dismissal.
Conditional Cooperation Approved
Clarifying the present stand, Giani Kuldip Singh Gargaj stated that while the Khalsa Panth has never accepted government interference in SGPC’s jurisdiction, the confusion being created among the sangat necessitated limited cooperation in the larger Panthic interest. Accordingly, SGPC President Advocate Harjinder Singh Dhami has been authorised to cooperate only for investigation related to the 328 saroops case.
If required, any information sought by the government is to be examined at the SGPC’s Chandigarh sub-office, and strictly in the presence of the SGPC President, the Jathedar directed.
Strong Warning Against Political Use
Issuing a stern caution, the Acting Jathedar reiterated that no political party, organisation or individual should derive political mileage from the sensitive issue. Citing the Ishar Singh Commission report, he warned that any party indulging in politics over the issue would be answerable to the Akal Takht and would be viewed as acting against Panthic interests.
He further expressed serious concern over the use of crude and inappropriate language by political spokespersons, commentators and so-called intellectuals while discussing the matter on television debates, social media and web platforms. Such language, he said, was unacceptable to Gursikhs and deeply hurt religious sentiments.
The Akal Takht has directed all Sikh scholars, intellectuals and public commentators to refrain from making allegations or statements against any individual or organisation linked to the case until the investigation reaches a conclusion, warning that continued violations would invite strict action.
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