Rape Case Against Akali Dal Leader Amarjit Singh Chawla Roils Punjab Politics

A rape case registered against senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member Amarjit Singh Chawla has placed both the party and the committee that manages many Sikh shrines under intense scrutiny.

The first information report was lodged at Sri Anandpur Sahib police station on August 21 under Sections 64, 127(2) and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The complainant, a woman from Sangrur district currently settled in Bahrain, has alleged that she was held captive and raped at a serai in Anandpur Sahib. Chawla has denied the allegations, calling them false and fabricated.

The complaint also names Akal Takht additional head granthi Malkit Singh and Mohan Singh, a driver at Takht Kesgarh Sahib, alleging that they sent her vulgar messages. Neither has been listed as an accused in the FIR. SGPC chief secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan said both employees have been suspended and that SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami has ordered a detailed inquiry.

Speaking on camera through Akali leader Roop Kaur Sandhu's Facebook page, the woman said she had approached several Sikh organisations before filing the FIR. She said she had also reached out to Dhami and Acting Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gadgajj, and alleged that Chawla "crossed all limits" with her at the serai. She demanded that he be declared "Panth Dokhi".

Waris Punjab De leader and Dakha MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali has questioned the response of the SGPC and Akali Dal leadership and sought resignations on moral grounds. He has demanded an impartial probe into whose orders led to the woman allegedly being provided VIP facilities by the SGPC, in what capacity sewadars, a driver and vehicles were made available to her, and from which SGPC fund she was allegedly given money. He has also asked whether the woman was being used against any individual and, if so, at whose behest.

Ayali further questioned why Chawla has not been arrested nearly a month after the FIR was registered, alleging that the Punjab government gave the accused time to leave the country. He also asked why Acting Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gadgajj has remained silent on the matter.

Asked about action against Chawla, Giani Gadgajj said, "The matter is under investigation. Whoever is found guilty in the investigation should not be spared." Giani Gadgajj is also the Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib, the shrine in Sri Anandpur Sahib where the alleged incident is said to have occurred. Police have said the investigation is underway and evidence is being collected.