Major Reshuffle in Punjab SIT Probing Disappearance of 328 Guru Granth Sahib Saroops
The Punjab Bureau of Investigation has executed a significant restructuring of the special investigation team (SIT) that is handling the sensitive case concerning the disappearance of 328 saroops of the Guru Granth Sahib. This development, announced on Wednesday, involves the replacement of four out of the six original team members, including the chairman, marking a pivotal shift in the investigative approach.
New Leadership and Team Composition
According to official orders issued by Bureau of Investigation Director L K Yadav, Ropar Range DIG Nanak Singh has been appointed as the new chairman of the SIT. He replaces Mohali AIG (Vigilance) Jagatpreet Singh, who has been completely removed from the team. The reconstituted SIT now includes three new members: Khanna SSP Darpan Ahluwalia, Mohali SP (Special Branch) Sukhnaaz Singh, and Rajwant Kaur, the SHO of Amritsar's C Division police station.
The three officers who have been removed from the SIT are:
- Amritsar Deputy Commissioner of Police (Investigation) Ravinderpal Singh Sandhu
- Amritsar Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police Harpal Singh Sandhu
- Ludhiana Assistant Commissioner of Police Beant Juneja
Two members have been retained to ensure continuity: Patiala SP (Detective) Gurbans Singh Bains and Amritsar ACP (Detective) Harminder Singh. Amritsar Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar will continue in his supervisory role over the entire investigation.
Directives for a Thorough Investigation
The order from Director Yadav explicitly mandates that the Amritsar commissioner of police must provide all necessary logistic support to the newly formed SIT. The directive emphasizes the need for a "fair, scientific and expeditious investigation" into the case. Furthermore, the SIT has been granted the authority to co-opt any additional officers as members, subject to approval from the bureau's office, to bolster the probe as needed.
Political Allegations and Controversy
The reconstitution of the SIT has sparked immediate political controversy. Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia took to social media platform X to voice strong objections, labeling the move as "Another act of the adhoc acting DGP." Majithia alleged that the reason for changing the SIT was because the previous team refused to take what he described as "false action against political individuals" and declined to include leaders' names in the investigation.
He further claimed that the earlier SIT also refused to operate from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab office, hinting at potential political interference. In a pointed note shared in his post, Majithia warned, "This SIT will be changed again and again until their political agenda is fulfilled," and promised that more revelations would be forthcoming. These allegations add a layer of political tension to an already high-stakes investigation involving the sacred Sikh scripture.
The case of the missing 328 saroops of the Guru Granth Sahib remains a matter of deep religious and legal significance in Punjab. The overhaul of the SIT, coupled with the ensuing political accusations, underscores the complexities and sensitivities surrounding the probe. Authorities are now under increased scrutiny to ensure the investigation proceeds with integrity and transparency, free from any perceived political influences.
