Chandigarh, October 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Police have constituted a three-member Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe a case registered against Amarjit Singh Chawla, a former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member and former Vice President of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), following allegations of rape and criminal intimidation levelled by a woman from Bahrain.
The complainant has alleged that Chawla raped her on multiple occasions at serais (pilgrim accommodation facilities) associated with prominent Sikh shrines, including Sri Darbar Sahib in Amritsar and Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib in Anandpur Sahib.
Senior AAP leader Baltej Pannu informed that the SIT will be headed by Faridkot Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gurbans Singh Bains. The other two members are SSP Vigilance, Mohali, Simranjit Singh Lang, and Mullanpur Dakha Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Karan Singh Sandhu.
An FIR (No. 149) was registered against Chawla at Anandpur Sahib Police Station on August 21, 2026, following directions from a court on the complaint of the woman.
The complainant levelled serious allegations against the former SGPC member, accusing him of sexually assaulting her multiple times at different serais.
Chawla, however, has denied the allegations. In a video message released after the controversy erupted, he maintained that he was innocent and expressed confidence that time would establish his innocence.
In the same video message, he announced his resignation from both the SGPC and the Shiromani Akali Dal.
In a significant development, Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj, following a meeting of Sikh clergy, announced Chawla’s expulsion from the Sikh Panth. The decision was announced without summoning Chawla or seeking his clarification on the allegations.
Meanwhile, Chawla has reportedly travelled abroad. A YouTube channel subsequently interviewed him, claiming that he was in Canada. His present whereabouts have not been independently confirmed.
The controversy has raised serious questions concerning the Shiromani Akali Dal and the SGPC, given Chawla’s longstanding association with both organisations.
Several Sikh organisations have demanded strict action against Chawla in connection with the allegations.
SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami, meanwhile, has been demanding that the investigation be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The constitution of the SIT marks a fresh development in the investigation into the allegations against the former Akali leader.
FOLLOW NOW
