The statement recorded by Akal Takht’s former Jathedar, Giani Raghbir Singh, before the Special Investigation Team probing the Behbal Kalan police firing case has drawn a strong reaction from another former Jathedar, Giani Harpreet Singh.
One of the five Sikh high priests when Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal was given religious punishment, Giani Harpreet Singh said it was not appropriate to record statement, reasoning “The proceedings were a part of our religious code and principles. They took place at Akal Takht and cannot be a part of the evidence.”
Harpreet Singh is also the chief of Akali Dal breakaway faction SAD (Punar Surjit).
On December 2, 2024, the Akal Takht—the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs—pronounced tankhah (religious punishment) to former Punjab Deputy CM Sukhbir Singh Badal from the faseel (podium) of the Akal Takht.
In his statement to the SIT, Giani Raghbir Singh reportedly said Badal had acknowledged responsibility for the Behbal Kalan firing during proceedings.
Notably, SAD leaders have also urged Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj to take serious note of the matter and initiate appropriate action over the violation of Sikh maryada. They condemned Giani Raghbir Singh for violating the hukamnama of the Takht by using proceedings of the highest temporal seat of the Sikhs in court-related cases.
