Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh declared Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann responsible for religious misconduct in connection with the police firing incident at Gurdwara Akal Bunga Chaoni Nihang Singha in Sultanpur Lodhi on November 23, 2023. The jathedar's decision comes approximately two weeks after an SGPC panel found the CM accountable for the incident.
In a statement issued by the Akal Takht secretariat, Giani Raghbir Singh conveyed that, after thorough review of the investigation report presented by the sub-committee designated by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, it was concluded that the entry of the police force into Gurdwara Akal Bunga Chaoni Nihang Singha while wearing shoes, and their subsequent use of force, including firing and tear gas, resulting in the disruption of the akhand path, took place without any provocation or justifiable circumstances.
These actions were deemed to be a breach of maryada (the Sikh code of conduct) and had inflicted harm on the religious sentiments of Sikhs, according to the jathedar. Raghbir Singh further explained that, as per the sub-committee's conclusions, Bhagwant Mann, who also held the position of the head of the home department, bore direct responsibility for these actions.