Punjab News: A delegation of Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjeet) on Wednesday met Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann and sought his intervention in constituting a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to probe the allegations leveled against Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member Amarjeet Singh Chawla.
The delegation, including senior party vice president Karnail Singh Peer Mohammed, general generals Davinder Singh Sodhi and Bhupinder Singh Shekupur, Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) executive committee member Master Mithu Singh Kaneke and SGPC member Jaswant Singh Padhoun, met the Chief Minister and submitted a memorandum.
In the memorandum, a demand was made to constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) for a high-level and impartial investigation into the FIR lodged against SGPC member Amarjeet Singh Chawla and the subsequent incidents.
Appeal to complete investigation in 15 days
The delegation said, “For the past several days, there has been a serious discussion against Amarjeet Singh Chawla for allegedly having an immoral relationship with a woman from a foreign country and allegations of rape in Sri Anandpur Sahib, which is the birthplace of the Khalsa Panth. The entire incident and the media reports related to it have raised many serious questions, which require a high-level investigation.”
He said, “A Special Investigation Team (SIT) should be constituted under the chairmanship of a senior, honest and impartial officer to bring the truth of the entire matter before the public. The investigation should be completed within 15 days on a fast track basis and strict action should be taken against those found guilty as per law. The SIT should be given the authority to investigate who provided the air tickets to bring the said woman and her daughter-in-law from Bahrain to India.”
Demand for investigation of VIP facilities and contacts
The delegation further said, “Similarly, soon after reaching New Delhi airport, the woman was allegedly arrested in a fraud case and was sent to Nabha jail, where she allegedly got VIP facilities. It should also be investigated whether during her stay in the jail, she met Bikram Singh Majithia, who was lodged there at that time. After her release from the jail, the woman was lodged in ‘Bhai Bachittar Singh Niwas’ in Anandpur Sahib, hence the SIT should investigate whether “We should find out who took him there, which vehicle was used and who were the people in contact with him.”
Demand for investigation of contacts and phone conversations
The delegation said, “As per the ongoing discussions in the media, Shiromani Youth Akali Dal (Badal) President Saravjit Singh Jhinjar allegedly arranged air tickets, facilitated her release from jail and put her in touch with Akali leader Virsa Singh Valtoha. The truth of these claims should be brought out through an impartial investigation. The woman has alleged that the Additional Chief Granthi of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Malkit Singh, Driver Mohan Singh and Major Singh Kavishwar also allegedly had inappropriate conversations with her over phone and exchanged objectionable messages, which should also be investigated.”
He said, “It should also be investigated as to who all the people the woman met during a period of about eight months and it should also be investigated as to why the SGPC kept her under its management and surveillance.”
Demand for fair investigation
The delegation demanded that during the investigation, all the concerned people, from the manager of Takht Shri Kesgarh Sahib to the servants on duty, should be interrogated. Similarly, after registering the FIR, it should also be investigated who helped Amarjeet Singh Chawla to go abroad and who provided him safe passage. He said, “Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib is the birthplace of the Khalsa Panth and the allegations in this case and the existing administrative system have created concern, shock and outrage in the Sikh community. This development has raised serious questions especially about the dignity and reputation of prestigious Sikh institutions like Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee and Sri Akal Takht Sahib. This incident has hurt the sentiments of the entire Sikh community, which calls for a fair and just investigation.” It is necessary.”
The delegation said, “We hope that the Chief Minister will set up a SIT to investigate this matter and ensure justice to the Sikh community and action against the culprits of this serious crime.”