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Rape Allegations Against Akali Leader Deepen Punjab Political Scrutiny
A woman has accused Akali Dal leader Amarjit Singh Chawla of rape.
She says the alleged incident happened at a serai in Anandpur Sahib.
Police registered a case on August 21 and said they are collecting evidence.
Chawla says the accusations are false.
The woman also mentioned two shrine employees who allegedly sent her vulgar messages.
Those employees were suspended, but they were not named as accused in the police case.
A political leader has questioned why Chawla has not been arrested.
Sikh authorities said the investigation should determine who is responsible and that anyone found guilty should not be spared.
An FIR was registered against Shiromani Akali Dal leader Amarjit Singh Chawla on August 21 at Sri Anandpur Sahib police station.
A woman from Sangrur district, now settled in Bahrain, alleged that she was held captive and raped at a serai in Anandpur Sahib.
Chawla denied the allegations, calling them false and fabricated.
The complaint mentioned two Sikh shrine employees, but neither was named as an accused in the FIR; both were suspended pending an inquiry.
Waris Punjab De leader Manpreet Singh Ayali questioned the SGPC and Akali Dal’s response and demanded an impartial investigation.
- Who
- Shiromani Akali Dal leader and SGPC member Amarjit Singh Chawla was accused by a woman from Sangrur district; the complaint also mentioned two shrine employees.
- What
- A rape FIR was registered against Chawla, who denied the allegations; authorities also began an inquiry into related claims involving SGPC facilities and employees.
- Where
- The alleged incident was reported at a serai in Sri Anandpur Sahib, and the FIR was registered at the Sri Anandpur Sahib police station.
- When
- The FIR was registered on August 21; the report says the investigation was still underway nearly a month later.
- Why
- The case followed the woman’s allegations that she was held captive and raped, along with claims about vulgar messages and the use of SGPC facilities and resources.
Accusations and Accountability Demands
Denial and Ongoing Investigation
Allegation of rape
Accusations and Accountability Demands
The complainant alleged that Chawla held her captive and raped her at a serai in Anandpur Sahib, and demanded that he be declared Panth Dokhi.
Denial and Ongoing Investigation
Chawla denied the allegations and described them as false and fabricated.
Response of Sikh institutions
Accusations and Accountability Demands
Manpreet Singh Ayali questioned the SGPC and Akali Dal’s response, demanded resignations on moral grounds, and sought an impartial investigation into alleged VIP facilities, vehicles, sewadars and money provided to the woman.
Denial and Ongoing Investigation
SGPC chief secretary Kulwant Singh Mannan said the two employees mentioned in the complaint were suspended and that SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami ordered a detailed inquiry.
Arrest and investigation
Accusations and Accountability Demands
Ayali questioned why Chawla had not been arrested nearly a month after the FIR and alleged that the Punjab government had given him time to leave the country.
Denial and Ongoing Investigation
Police said the investigation was underway and evidence was being collected. Acting Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gadgajj said anyone found guilty should not be spared.
Key facts
- Main accused
- Amarjit Singh Chawla, senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader and SGPC member
- FIR date
- August 21
- Police station
- Sri Anandpur Sahib police station
- Alleged location
- A serai in Sri Anandpur Sahib
- Legal provisions
- Sections 64, 127(2) and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita
- Complainant
- A woman from Sangrur district who is currently settled in Bahrain
- Related action
- Two SGPC employees mentioned in the complaint were suspended, and a detailed inquiry was ordered
Quotes
Giani Kuldeep Singh Gadgajj
Acting Jathedar of Sri Akal Takht Sahib and Jathedar of Takht Kesgarh Sahib
“The matter is under investigation. Whoever is found guilty in the investigation should not be spared.”
NDTV
Sources
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