Ludhiana: Police have intensified efforts to arrest former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member Amarjit Singh Chawla, who is facing serious allegations of rape. A special team from Sri Anandpur Sahib police raided his residence in Model Town Extension, Ludhiana, on Sunday morning.
The team, comprising around 10 to 15 police personnel travelling in three vehicles, reached Chawla’s house in the VIP Lane at around 8.30am and cordoned off the property. Chawla was not present at the residence at the time of the raid.
As only women were present in the house, female police personnel questioned Chawla’s wife for an extended period and conducted a search of the residence.
Woman from Bahrain alleges sexual assault
The case was registered following a complaint by a woman who had travelled from Bahrain. According to her complaint, she is originally from Punjab’s Malwa region and has been living in Bahrain for around 25 years.
The woman said she had visited Sri Anandpur Sahib for religious purposes, where Chawla allegedly sexually assaulted her.
According to the complaint, between February 27 and August 19 this year, Chawla allegedly confined her against her will at different inns and rooms and repeatedly sexually assaulted her.
The woman also alleged that she attempted to end her life after suffering distress due to the alleged abuse and threats. She was reportedly taken to hospital in time after a sewadar noticed the situation and helped save her life.
The complainant said she had approached several religious figures, including SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami and Sri Akal Takht Jathedar Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, seeking justice before approaching the police. She alleged that she received no response and subsequently filed a complaint with the police.
The allegations against Chawla remain subject to investigation.
