Akal Takht Expels Akali Leader Amarjit Singh Chawla, Granthi Malkit Singh

The Akal Takht on Sunday expelled senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member Amarjit Singh Chawla from the Khalsa Panth following rape charges levelled against him.

Granthi Malkit Singh was also expelled from the Khalsa Panth over allegations that he sent inappropriate messages to a woman.

The decision was taken at an emergency meeting of the Akal Takht secretariat, with acting Jathedar Giani Kuldip Singh Gargajj announcing the outcome. The five Singh Sahibans — the collective body of the five high-ranking Jathedars — issued the expulsion.

According to the acting Jathedar, Chawla, who represents a Sikh institution, will remain expelled until he proves his innocence and appears before Sri Akal Takht Sahib. A complete lifetime ban has been imposed on his working in Sikh institutions, and the community has been directed not to maintain any association with him.

Granthi Malkit Singh faces the same lifetime ban from Sikh institutions, and Sikhs have been asked not to associate with him.

Jathedar Gargajj described the allegations against both individuals as serious. He stressed that Sikh institutions are central to the community and that those in responsible positions are expected to maintain high standards of character and conduct.

He clarified, however, that the allegations remain subject to the individuals proving their innocence. The woman had approached the police, and the Akal Takht will not involve itself in the matter, he said.

The acting Jathedar said the woman had briefly met him and mentioned the matter concerning Singh, but had not submitted a written complaint to the Akal Takht. Considering the seriousness of the matter, he had verbally instructed the SGPC to remove Singh from duty.

Jathedar Gargajj also called for an impartial investigation, saying no person should be unnecessarily implicated and no injustice should be done.