Allegations of Rape Against SGPC Member and Senior Vice-President of the Shiromani Akali Dal Are Highly Shameful: Wadala, Talwandi
“Why Was the Victim’s Complaint Not Heard? SGPC President and Akali Dal President Must Answer.” Chandigarh,
Babushahi Network
Amritsar/Chandigarh, September 17, 2026 : Shiromani Akali Dal (punar surjit) Secretary General Gurpartap Singh Wadala and Youth Wing President Gurjit Singh Talwandi, addressing a press conference, alleged that it is highly shameful that allegations of sexual exploitation have been levelled against Amarjit Singh Chawla, a senior vice-president of the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and a senior member of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the religious representative body of the Sikh community. Referring to the FIR registered in the matter, the two leaders alleged that the woman had clearly stated that she had informed Sukhbir Singh Badal through his PA about the alleged abuse she was facing. However, they alleged that no action was taken against Amarjit Singh Chawla. Similarly, they alleged that the woman had also brought the entire matter to the attention of the SGPC president, but no action was taken. They further alleged that Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib, Giani Kuldeep Singh Garhgajj, also failed to hear the woman’s complaint. The leaders alleged that this indicated the influence and power Chawla allegedly enjoyed due to his proximity to Sukhbir Singh Badal, claiming that even the SGPC president and the Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib had failed to take action against him. The two leaders further alleged that had the religious leadership acted effectively and imposed exemplary punishment on the accused at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, the woman would not have been compelled to approach the police. They said the controversy was bringing considerable disrepute to religious institutions. During the press conference, Karnail Singh Peer Mohammad and Davinder Singh Sodhi alleged that Chawla had previously faced allegations of drug trafficking during the earlier Akali government. They further alleged that accusations concerning the sending of obscene messages to the Head Granthi of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and other office-bearers reflected the alleged decline within religious institutions and the deterioration of standards of conduct among certain individuals. The leaders said that without fundamental and transformative reforms within these institutions, there was little scope for improvement and urged the public to seriously consider the issue. They further stated that despite the FIR having been registered on July 21, no arrest had taken place so far, and argued that an arrest should have been made within 24 hours in a rape case. Questioning SGPC President Harjinder Singh Dhami, the leaders demanded an explanation as to why the woman had allegedly been provided accommodation in the gurdwara guest house for such an extended period, along with an SGPC vehicle and driver. They said the SGPC president should answer the Sikh community as to why he allegedly remained silent even after becoming aware of the alleged misconduct involving a member of a religious institution at the gurdwara accommodation. The leaders also demanded that the government constitute a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to conduct an impartial investigation into who brought the woman there and why she was kept at the gurdwara accommodation for such a long period. They stated that the complete facts should be brought before the Sikh community, describing the matter as one concerning the alleged desecration of the dignity of a highly revered religious institution. They said that a transparent investigation was necessary to help restore public confidence in religious institutions. Jagjit Singh Kohli, Office Secretary, was also present on the occasion. The statement was released to the press by Media In-charge Tajinder Singh Pannu.