Rupnagar: Around five weeks after a rape case was registered against former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member Amarjit Singh Chawla, Rupnagar Police have summoned three people for questioning in connection with the investigation.
Those summoned include Mohan Singh, a former driver posted at Takht Sri Kesgarh Sahib; suspended Additional Head Granthi Malkit Singh, a resident of Amritsar; and Papinder Kaur, a Ludhiana resident and wife of former SGPC member Amarjit Singh Khalsa.
Police have directed all three to join the investigation at Anandpur Sahib police station on September 28.
Police officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said a Look Out Circular (LOC) had also been issued against Chawla. He had reportedly left for Canada on August 14, before the case was registered against him.
The action follows an FIR registered at Anandpur Sahib police station on August 21 under Sections 64, 127(2) and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating to allegations of rape, wrongful confinement and criminal intimidation.
According to the FIR, a woman from Punjab’s Malwa region alleged that Chawla established contact with her, made certain assurances or claims and later sexually assaulted her. The allegations relate to a series of incidents between February 27 and August 19, including an alleged incident at Bhai Bachittar Singh Yatri Niwas in Anandpur Sahib.
The complainant has reportedly also recorded her statement before a judicial magistrate.
Chawla has denied the allegations. In a video message released on September 16, he described the case as false and fabricated and alleged that a conspiracy had been hatched against him.
Meanwhile, on September 20, the Sri Akal Takht Sahib expelled Chawla from the Khalsa Panth. The SGPC also suspended Additional Head Granthi Bhai Malkit Singh and driver Mohan Singh with immediate effect after their names surfaced in connection with the alleged immoral matter.
Chawla later questioned the action taken by Akal Takht, arguing that he had not been given a full opportunity to present his side. He reiterated that the allegations against him were false.
