Punjab Police arrests prime accused in missing Sri Guru Granth Sahib saroops case

In a significant development in the case of 328 missing sacred saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji, the Punjab Police’s Special Investigation Team (SIT) has arrested the prime accused, Chartered Accountant Satinder Singh Kohli.

The arrest marks a major step in the investigation of one of the most sensitive cases affecting the Sikh community.

The update was shared by Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab chief spokesperson and MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, along with senior party leader Baltej Pannu. They stated that the investigation has now entered a critical phase with concrete action on the ground.

AAP Punjab chief spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal described the arrest as a long-awaited moment for Sikh sangats. “Today is a very big achievement for Sikh sangats, one that they have been waiting for over the last four to five years. Acting on the directions of the High Court, the SIT has arrested Satinder Singh Kohli from a hotel in Chandigarh. He is the main accused in the missing saroops case and was also serving as the CA of the Shiromani Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC) at the time,” he said.

Recounting the sustained efforts for justice, Dhaliwal noted that Sikh sangats have been mobilising for years, holding protests and demonstrations.

“For several years, Sikh sangats have been raising their voice and staging protests for justice in this case. A major mobilisation was also led under the leadership of renowned kirtankar Bhai Baldev Singh Wadala. This is the first arrest in the case, and that too of the main accused, which makes it all the more significant,” he added.

Dhaliwal further assured that strict action would be taken against all those involved. “I want to assure the Sikh sangat that all 16 accused who are responsible for making the sacred saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji go missing will be arrested and sent behind bars. This is the firm commitment of the Punjab government, and no guilty person will be spared,” he stated.

Senior AAP leader Baltej Pannu explained that the investigation was initiated following directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court in response to a petition regarding the missing saroops. “The High Court had directed an investigation into the matter, after which the Punjab Police registered an FIR against 16 individuals and constituted a Special Investigation Team to probe the case,” Pannu said.

Pannu provided additional details on the steps taken against the accused. “Look Out Circulars have been issued against all 16 named accused. Arrest warrants against Satinder Singh Kohli had already been issued, and he was evading the police while hiding in a hotel in Chandigarh, from where he has now been arrested,” he stated.

Emphasising that the investigation is ongoing, Pannu noted that the arrest could uncover further revelations. “The police investigation is ongoing, and we expect many more disclosures in this case, especially because the same Chartered Accountant had been auditing the SGPC. This arrest can open up several big facts linked to the conspiracy,” he said.