16 Booked Over 328 Missing Saroops in Punjab FIR

December 8, 2025

In a significant move aimed at addressing a long-standing grievance of the Sikh community, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police has registered a First Information Report (FIR) against sixteen individuals in connection with the disappearance of 328 Saroops of Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The missing sacred scriptures have been at the heart of public concern for years, with Sikh organisations repeatedly demanding a transparent probe and accountability for the mismanagement that led to their disappearance. Each Saroop of Guru Granth Sahib is considered a living form of the Guru, making this incident deeply distressing and spiritually painful for the community.

Press conference regarding 328 Saroops of Dhan dhan Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji.. pic.twitter.com/CaQFNdBh2I

— Jagdip Singh Kahlon (@jagdipskahlon) December 8, 2025

Punjab Vidhan Sabha Speaker S. Kultar Singh Sandhwan strongly condemned the incident, asserting that the Punjab Government will not tolerate sacrilege of any religion under any circumstances. He stated that those responsible for such heinous crimes will not be spared, reaffirming the government’s moral and constitutional responsibility to ensure the protection of every religious belief. Emphasising the teachings of the Gurus, Sandhwan said that Guru Sahib has always guided humanity to uphold and defend the dignity of all faiths, not just one’s own.

Community Leaders Demand Stronger Legislation

Sikh leader Bhai Baldev Singh Vadala welcomed the government’s decision to formally register the FIR and appreciated the swift action taken. He urged the Speaker to introduce stringent laws in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha, including provisions for capital punishment for sacrilege, arguing that only strict legal consequences can deter such actions in the future. Vadala stressed that the disappearance of the Saroops was not a mere administrative lapse but an act that amounted to grave disrespect toward the Sikh faith, making strong punitive measures necessary.

Sixteen Accused Named in the FIR

The FIR identifies sixteen individuals allegedly involved in the disappearance or mismanagement of the sacred scriptures. Those booked include Dr Roop Singh, Manjit Singh, Gurbachan Singh, Satinder Singh, Nishan Singh, Paramjit Singh, Gurmukh Singh, Jujhar Singh, Baaj Singh, Dalbir Singh, Kamaljit Singh, Kulwant Singh, Jaspreet Singh, Gurbachan Singh, Satinder Singh and Amarjit Singh. Their roles in the handling, transportation, and maintenance of the Saroops will form a central part of the police investigation as authorities attempt to determine how the discrepancies occurred.

Serious IPC Sections Invoked in FIR

The FIR has been registered under several serious sections of the Indian Penal Code, reflecting the gravity of the offence. These include Section 295 (injuring or defiling a place of worship or sacred object), Section 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts intended to outrage religious feelings), Section 409 (criminal breach of trust), Section 465 (forgery), and Section 120-B (criminal conspiracy). The combination of these sections signals that the authorities view the incident not merely as negligence but potentially as a coordinated criminal act involving breach of trust and deliberate desecration.

Inquiry Exposes Mismanagement at SGPC Publishing House

The FIR follows a prolonged inquiry into the operations of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Bhawan, the publishing arm of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in Amritsar. The investigation reportedly revealed serious lapses in record-keeping, storage protocols, and oversight mechanisms related to the printing and dispatch of Saroops. These discrepancies ultimately led to the discovery that 328 sacred scriptures were missing. The findings have raised questions about administrative practices and triggered widespread calls for reforms within SGPC institutions to prevent such incidents in the future.

Broader Implications and Path Ahead

The registration of the FIR marks a turning point in a case that has troubled the Sikh community for years. Beyond the legal proceedings, the incident has ignited broader discussions on the need for improved accountability, digital record-keeping, and strict monitoring of sacred scripture printing facilities. As the police move forward with detailed investigations, including document verification and witness statements, the outcome is expected to have long-term implications for religious administration in Punjab. The community now awaits further developments with the hope that justice will be served and such breaches of trust will never recur.