In a significant development in a long-pending religious matter, the Punjab Police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) has apprehended the alleged prime accused in the sensitive case involving 328 missing sacred saroops (copies) of the Guru Granth Sahib. The arrest of chartered accountant Satinder Singh Kohli, who formerly served as the CA for the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), marks a critical turn in the investigation that has spanned several years.
A Long-Awaited Arrest After Court Directive
The arrest was executed on Thursday from a hotel in Chandigarh, where Kohli was reportedly evading the police. The action followed explicit directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which is hearing a petition related to the disappearance of the holy scriptures. The High Court had mandated a probe, leading the Punjab Police to register a formal First Information Report (FIR) against 16 individuals and constitute the SIT.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab chief spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal termed the arrest a "very big achievement for the Sikh sangat (community)," highlighting that they had been waiting for this moment for the last four to five years. He credited sustained public mobilization, including protests and demonstrations led by figures like kirtankar Bhai Baldev Singh Wadala, for keeping the pressure on authorities.
Investigation Enters Critical Phase
With Kohli's arrest, the investigation is now believed to have entered a concrete and crucial phase. AAP functionary leader Baltej Pannu stated that the police had already taken steps against all individuals named in the FIR. Look Out Circulars (LOCs) had been issued against all 16 accused, and arrest warrants for Kohli were already in place before he was tracked down in Chandigarh.
Pannu expressed optimism that this arrest could unravel deeper layers of the case. "The police investigation is ongoing, and we expect many more disclosures, especially because the same chartered accountant audited the SGPC. This arrest can open up several big facts linked to the conspiracy," he asserted. The authorities hope Kohli's interrogation will provide vital clues about the whereabouts of the missing saroops and the roles of other accused.
Government's Firm Commitment and Community's Vigil
Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, in a strong statement, assured the public of the Punjab government's resolve. "I want to assure that all 16 accused who are responsible for making the sacred saroops go missing will be arrested and sent behind bars. This is the firm commitment of the Punjab govt, and no guilty person will be spared," he declared.
The case, which has deeply hurt Sikh religious sentiments, saw the community consistently demanding accountability and justice. The arrest of the main accused is seen as the first major step towards delivering that justice and potentially recovering the sacred texts. The SIT's continued probe is now closely watched, with expectations of further arrests and revelations in the coming days.
