Photo Source; Babushahi Bureau
CM Mann slams SGPC & Akali Dal: Using Sri Akal Takht, Panth to shield corruption, 328 Saroops case ignored
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, December 29, 2025: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Monday accused the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) and the Akali Dal of exploiting Sri Akal Takht Sahib and the Panth to protect influential figures involved in wrongdoing. He expressed outrage over the continued inaction in the case of 328 missing saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, calling it a moral failure that has deeply hurt the Sikh community.
Addressing the media, CM Mann said, “The Panth and Sant Samaj have long demanded action, yet no progress has been made. The Punjab government has lodged an FIR and constituted a Special Investigation Team, but the SGPC, acting on directions from its masters, has tried to discredit these efforts while shielding the guilty.”
He pointed out that the SGPC had previously passed resolutions to take criminal action against influential persons, including former Chief Secretary Dr. Roop Singh, and to terminate services of S.S. Kohli & Associates for mismanagement. “However, these actions were stalled because these individuals have connections with Akali leaders. The SGPC has become a mute spectator, failing to uphold its own resolutions,” Mann said.
The CM also criticized the SGPC for not acting against BJP officials who posted cartoons of Sikh Gurus on their official handles, highlighting what he described as selective enforcement and political bias.
“The present Akali leadership has transformed from a party of lions into dinosaurs,” he said, adding that the party prioritizes personal gain over state or Panth interests. CM Mann accused the Akali Dal of supporting anti-state decisions in the past, including central university status for Panjab University, the SYL issue, and controversial farm laws, solely to benefit their families.
The Chief Minister reaffirmed the Punjab government’s commitment to recovering the missing saroops and ensuring that those responsible are punished according to the law. “The Sangat deserves accountability, and we will ensure justice is served,” he stated.