Amritsar / Chandigarh — January 1, 2026
In a major development in one of the most sensitive controversies facing Sikh institutions in recent years, Chartered Accountant Satinder Singh Kohli, the former internal auditor of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), has been arrested by Punjab Police in connection with the 328 missing saroops (sacred copies of Sri Guru Granth Sahib). Kohli, widely reported to be a close associate of Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, was taken into custody from a hotel in Chandigarh and is being treated as a key accused in the case. UniIndia
The Case That Shook the Panth
The controversy dates back to 2020, when an Akal Takht-appointed investigation panel flagged serious irregularities in how SGPC’s publication division accounted for 328 saroops of the Sikh holy scripture — copies that were allegedly printed but not properly recorded or traced. The issue sparked deep anguish across the Sikh community, raising questions about the long-term handling and preservation of sacred texts. OpIndia
Despite the probe committee’s findings and SGPC resolutions calling for action, no formal police FIR was filed for nearly five years, drawing increasing criticism. On 7th December 2025, however, the Amritsar Police registered a first-information report naming 16 individuals, including Kohli and a former SGPC chief secretary, under sections of the Indian Penal Code related to hurt religious sentiments, breach of trust, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. A Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted shortly after to deepen the probe. OpIndia
Kohli’s Arrest: A Turning Point
Kohli’s arrest marks the first major custodial action in the case and signals that the investigation may enter a more decisive phase. Law enforcement officials have indicated that the SIT will now extend inquiries into the full chain of administrative accountability and may pursue further detentions as evidence emerges. UniIndia
Clash Between Politics and Religious Autonomy
The arrest has injected a new level of political drama into the controversy. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has publicly criticized the SGPC for what he described as a failure to act on the missing saroops and alleged that the institution used religious autonomy as a shield to protect influential individuals tied to past leadership. Mann insists that the government has a legal right and moral duty to probe the matter, especially given the strong sentiments within the Sikh community calling for answers. The Indian Express+1
In his statements, Mann emphasized the need for accountability and urged the SGPC to cooperate with the investigation, rejecting claims that the FIR amounted to unwarranted interference in religious affairs. The Indian Express
SGPC’s Response: Autonomy, Not Obstruction
On the other side, SGPC leadership led by President Harjinder Singh Dhami has maintained that the organization acted decisively within its own administrative structures — disciplining officials and following directives from the Akal Takht and inquiry panels. Dhami has labeled the government’s FIR and police involvement as premature and politically motivated, emphasizing that SGPC’s service rules and Sikh religious law should govern such matters. The Times of India+1
The SGPC asserts that all internal actions recommended by the probe panel were taken, and that judicial processes within the Sikh Gurdwara Judicial Commission are underway regarding financial recovery and accountability. X (formerly Twitter)
Wider Reaction and Community Sentiment
The case has also drawn criticism from across the political spectrum and Sikh institutions:
Punjab BJP leaders have questioned the SGPC’s explanation for the missing saroops, calling its administrative defence meaningless and insisting on full legal accountability. The Times of India
Sikh high priests at the Akal Takht have issued declarations arguing that the matter is a strictly Panthic and religious issue that should be resolved through Sikh institutions rather than political or police channels — highlighting the delicate balance between religious autonomy and state legal authority. The Times of India
What Happens Next?
With Kohli in custody and an ongoing SIT investigation, observers expect the legal battle over religious accountability, state jurisdiction, and institutional transparency to intensify in the coming weeks. The case’s outcome — whether through further arrests, court proceedings, or community-led resolutions — could reshape how Sikh religious entities and secular authorities address sensitive matters involving sacred heritage and institutional governance.
Stay tuned to SinghStation.net for live updates and expert analysis as the 328 saroops saga continues to evolve.