Akal Takht expels Amarjit Singh Chawla from Khalsa Panth

The Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism, has excommunicated senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member Amarjit Singh Chawla from the Khalsa Panth. The decision follows rape and wrongful confinement allegations registered at the Anandpur Sahib police station in August.

In addition to Chawla, the Sikh religious authority has expelled Giani Malkit Singh, the additional head granthi of the Akal Takht, over allegations involving the same woman, including the sending of obscene messages. The clergy stated that the allegations hurt community sentiments and compromised the dignity of Sikh institutions.

The decree directs the Sikh community to sever all ties with both men and bars them for life from holding positions or undertaking services within Sikh institutions. Chawla, who reportedly fled to Canada and resigned from his political and religious posts, remains expelled unless he proves his innocence and appears before the Akal Takht. The announcement was made by Acting Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj following a meeting of the five Sikh high priests in Amritsar.