# Excommunication of Sikh leaders over criminal allegations

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/excommunication-of-sikh-leaders-over-criminal-allegations
> Updated: 2026-09-27T04:47:47.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2.

The Akal Takht, the highest temporal seat of Sikhism, has excommunicated senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader and SGPC member Amarjit Singh Chawla from the Khalsa Panth. The religious authority also expelled Giani Malkit Singh, the additional head granthi of the Akal Takht, following allegations involving the same woman, including the sending of obscene messages.

The excommunication follows criminal allegations registered in August at the Anandpur Sahib police station. The decree bars both men from holding positions or undertaking services within Sikh institutions for life. While Chawla reportedly fled to Canada and resigned from his posts, Punjab police have since conducted a raid at his residence in Ludhiana as part of the ongoing rape and wrongful confinement investigation.

## Claims

- Police conducted a raid at the Ludhiana residence of SGPC member Amarjit Singh Chawla. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- An FIR was filed against Amarjit Singh Chawla on August 21 under sections 64, 127(2), and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- A woman alleged she was held hostage and raped at a sarai in Sri Anandpur Sahib. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The Akal Takht expelled Amarjit Singh Chawla from the Sikh Panth. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Additional Head Granthi Giani Malkit Singh was also expelled from the Panth. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Giani Malkit Singh is accused of sending obscene messages to a woman. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-27: Amarjit Singh Chawla: SGPC member's home raided by Punjab police

Punjab police raided the Ludhiana home of SGPC member Amarjit Singh Chawla amid rape allegations. The Akal Takht has also expelled Chawla and Additional Head Granthi Giani Malkit Singh from the Sikh Panth.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/amarjit-singh-chawla-sgpc-members-home-raided-by-punjab-police

### 2026-09-20: Akal Takht expels Amarjit Singh Chawla from Khalsa Panth

The Akal Takht has excommunicated SAD leader Amarjit Singh Chawla and head granthi Giani Malkit Singh from the Khalsa Panth following rape and wrongful confinement allegations.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/akal-takht-expels-amarjit-singh-chawla-from-khalsa-panth

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Cite as: Excommunication of Sikh leaders over criminal allegations. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/excommunication-of-sikh-leaders-over-criminal-allegations