Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit) president Giani Harpreet Singh on Monday questioned Punjab government’s “inaction” in the rape case against former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member Amarjit Singh Chawla, and demanded a time-bound and impartial probe by a special investigation team (SIT).
He demanded that the SIT be headed by a retired judge to ensure an independent investigation. He questioned how Chawla was allowed to leave the country after the FIR was registered.
Addressing mediapersons here on Monday, Giani Harpreet said it was “strange that no action had been taken even after a month after the registration of the FIR”. Giani Harpreet said Chawla, who is currently abroad, had claimed that he was being made a “scapegoat”, alleging that senior leaders knew why the woman had been brought from Bahrain. He also announced that district jathas of his party would submit memorandums to the head granthi of Sri Darbar Sahib for 11 consecutive days, seeking the resignation of those responsible for what he termed a “reprehensible act”. The party would also hold Ardas at Sri Akal Takht Sahib, he said
He also questioned the reported lack of awareness of the jathedar of Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib about the incident. He questioned how the woman could have stayed for six months at a gurdwara serai and used its facilities without the SGPC president knowing about it.
“If the government knows which leaders had invited the woman and for what purpose, why is an impartial investigation not being conducted instead of allegations being levelled through press conferences,” he asked. He said if the president was genuinely unaware, the office-holder should resign. Referring to the action taken against Chawla by the Akal Takht, Giani Harpreet said he did not wish to comment on the decision, but claimed that it had been taken in a haste. He said the accused should first have been given an opportunity to present his side, as required under Sikh religious conduct.
