In a significant development in the ongoing investigation into the sensitive case of 328 missing saroops of Guru Granth Sahib, Gurbans Singh Bains, the superintendent of police for Patiala and a key member of the special investigation team (SIT), made another visit to the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) sub-office in Chandigarh on Wednesday. This marked his second visit to the office as part of efforts to secure crucial records related to the case.
Assurance of Record Submission
Following his visit, Bains stated that the SGPC official he met provided an assurance that the requested records would be handed over on Thursday. "We will visit the SGPC sub-office again on Thursday to get the record," he emphasized, highlighting the SIT's determination to obtain the necessary documentation to advance the probe.
Background of the Investigation
This visit comes after Bains' initial trip to the SGPC sub-office on January 13, which was prompted by a directive from the Akal Takht urging the SGPC to cooperate fully with the SIT. The case, which involves the disappearance of 328 saroops (handwritten copies) of the Guru Granth Sahib, has drawn widespread attention due to its religious and cultural significance.
SGPC's Accusations and Coordination Issues
Meanwhile, SGPC executive member Gurpreet Singh Jhabbar has leveled serious accusations against the government, claiming it is "not being serious on the sensitive issue." He asserted that a specific time of 11 am on Thursday was agreed upon after discussions with SIT officials in Amritsar. In a video statement, Jhabbar further accused the government of conducting a "media trial" in the case and pointed out a lack of coordination within the SIT itself.
Denial of Fixed Timing
In response to these claims, Bains denied that any fixed time of 11 am on Thursday was established. "If I knew that the record would not be provided today, why would I go there? It would have served no purpose," he questioned. He reiterated that the SGPC official assured him during Wednesday's visit that the records would be provided the following day, prompting the SIT's planned return.
The situation underscores the ongoing tensions and challenges in the investigation, with both sides presenting differing narratives. As the SIT prepares for another visit on Thursday, the focus remains on whether the SGPC will fulfill its promise to submit the records, potentially shedding light on the whereabouts of the missing saroops and advancing the case towards resolution.
