Archive · 20 Sep 2026
Akal Takht Expels Chawla From Khalsa Panth Over Rape Case
Sikh religious leaders have expelled Amarjit Singh Chawla from the Khalsa Panth.
A woman has accused him of rape in Anandpur Sahib.
Police registered a case after her complaint.
Another Sikh official, Malkit Singh, was accused of sending her inappropriate messages.
He was expelled too.
Both men are banned for life from working in Sikh institutions.
The religious leaders said the allegations still need to be examined and that the men can prove their innocence.
Chawla says the accusations are part of a political conspiracy.
Five Sikh high priests expelled SGPC member Amarjit Singh Chawla from the Khalsa Panth over rape allegations.
Additional Head Granthi Malkit Singh was also expelled over allegations of sending inappropriate or vulgar messages.
The decisions were announced Sunday after an emergency meeting at the Akal Takht Secretariat in Chandigarh.
A woman’s complaint led to an FIR against Chawla in Anandpur Sahib under three Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita sections.
Chawla called the allegations a political conspiracy and said he had resigned from SGPC and party posts.
- Who
- The five Sikh high priests, Amarjit Singh Chawla, Malkit Singh, and a woman complainant are central to the report.
- What
- Chawla and Malkit Singh were expelled from the Khalsa Panth and barred from serving in Sikh institutions over allegations involving a rape case and inappropriate messages.
- When
- The decisions were announced on Sunday; the FIR against Chawla was registered on August 21.
- Where
- The decision was announced at the Akal Takht Secretariat in Chandigarh; the alleged rape occurred at a serai in Anandpur Sahib.
- Why
- The Akal Takht cited alleged serious violations of Sikh conduct and Panthic rules, while calling for an impartial investigation.
Akal Takht Decision
Chawla's Response
Basis for expulsion
Akal Takht Decision
The Sikh clergy said the allegations involved serious violations of Sikh conduct and Panthic rules, while emphasizing that the individuals may prove their innocence.
Chawla's Response
Chawla rejected the allegations as part of a political conspiracy.
Investigation and jurisdiction
Akal Takht Decision
The acting Jathedar said the woman had approached police, that the Akal Takht would not handle the police matter, and called for an impartial investigation.
Chawla's Response
Chawla’s reported response disputes the allegations but does not accept the basis for the action.
Institutional consequences
Akal Takht Decision
Both men face lifetime bans from working in Sikh institutions, gurdwara management committees, or religious platforms; the community was told not to associate with them.
Chawla's Response
Chawla said he had already resigned from SGPC membership and all party posts.
- Primary subject
- Amarjit Singh Chawla, an SGPC member and senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader
- Religious decision
- Chawla and Malkit Singh were expelled from the Khalsa Panth
- Announcing official
- Acting Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj
- Police case
- An FIR was registered against Chawla on August 21
- Allegation
- A woman alleged that she was held captive and raped at a serai in Anandpur Sahib
- Legal provisions
- Sections 64, 127(2), and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Chawla's response
- He described the allegations as a political conspiracy and said he had resigned from SGPC and party posts
