Chandigarh/Amritsar, Jan 4— The Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the disappearance of 328 sacred saroops has arrested former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) employee Kanwaljit Singh, accusing him of direct involvement in serious irregularities linked to the maintenance and handling of religious scriptures.
An official spokesperson of the SIT said Singh was allegedly involved in the unauthorised preparation and storage of the sacred saroops. “The accused played a direct role in irregularities connected with the handling and upkeep of the religious scriptures,” the spokesperson said.
The arrest comes amid coordinated search operations carried out at 14 locations across Punjab and Chandigarh. The searches included two locations in Chandigarh, eight in Amritsar city, and one each in Gurdaspur, Ropar, Tarn Taran and Amritsar (Rural).
During the raids, the SIT seized seven mobile phones, three tablets, two laptops, one storage device and several financial records and documents considered incriminating. “All seized electronic devices will be subjected to forensic examination,” the spokesperson said, adding that the financial documents are being scrutinised for possible links to wider irregularities.
According to officials, investigators are examining financial transactions involving payments made by companies connected to several individuals, including politicians. “These financial trails are part of a broader investigation into the case,” the spokesperson said.
The SIT has so far named 16 persons in the FIR registered at Police Station C-Division under the Amritsar Commissionerate. Of these, two accused have died, while investigations continue against the remaining 14.
Former SGPC auditor Satinder Singh Kohli was arrested earlier in the case. Kanwaljit Singh is the second arrest so far.
Read more: SIT searches 15 locations in Punjab in missing saroops case
