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Amid missing ‘saroops’ controversy, Dr Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi resigns as CONWARE chairman

Dr Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi, who is the MLA for Banga, was elected on a Shiromani Akali Dal ticket in the 2022 Assembly elections but joined the AAP in August 2024.

3 min readChandigarhJan 18, 2026 02:05 PM IST

Dr Sukhi announced his resignation on Facebook on Sunday and said he would try to convince Mann and the ruling AAP’s leadership about the “sanctity” of the gurdwara. (Photo: Instagram/@officialdrsukhi)

Days after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann claimed that 169 saroops had been found at the Rasokhana Nabh Kanwal Raja Sahib Gurdwara in Banga during an ongoing investigation into the 328 missing saroops, Dr Sukhwinder Kumar Sukhi has resigned as chairman of the Punjab State Container and Warehousing Corporation, or CONWARE, to which he was appointed with a cabinet rank.

Dr Sukhi announced his resignation on Facebook on Sunday and said he would try to convince Mann and the ruling AAP’s leadership about the “sanctity” of the gurdwara.

“I come here every day. I have come here today. I want to announce here that this place is not about politics for me. I announce my resignation as the CONWARE chairman and from the Cabinet rank. I pray to God to give me the strength to tell the Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the top leadership of the AAP about the truth of this place,” he said in a video message.

During a Maghi conference on Wednesday, Mann stated that the SIT had found 169 saroops (Guru Granth Sahib) in the gurdwara and that 79 of the saroops were published prior to 2012. “Hence, the saroops do not fall in the category of 328 missing saroops, which date from 2014 to 2019. As many as 107 of the saroops were published by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the remaining 62 saroops were printed by private printers.”

Of the 169 sarrops, 115 were numbered, and the remaining 54 had no serial numbers. Records exist for 30 saroops—20 were given to one Pind gurdwara and 10 to another in Banga, AAP state media in-charge Baltej Pannu had stated.

The gurdwara management had, however, denied the claims, stating, “Only 30 saroops available with us were printed between 2014 and 2015, which were installed in 2019. We had deposited 30 worn-out (birad) saroops at Goindwal Sahib, in lieu of which we were allotted 20 new saroops. Ten saroops were taken by the sangat of Dosanjh Khurd village from the SGPC. Later, they handed over these saroops to us as they were unable to maintain them. Hence, not a single missing saroop is with us.”

Dr Sukhi, who is the MLA for Banga, was elected on a Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) ticket in the 2022 Assembly elections but joined the AAP in August 2024. His resignation from the Vidhan Sabha has not been accepted by the Speaker yet.

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Dr Sukhi had taken a divergent stand from the chief minister. “There has been no violation of maryada at the site. I am here to clear doubts of everyone that this place cannot be involved in wrongdoing and should not be dragged in any controversy,” he said on Facebook then.

Sources said Dr Sukhi met Mann at the latter’s residence on Friday and spoke to him about the issue, adding that there was no resolution in sight.

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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