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Punjab Police arrest ex-SGPC auditor Satinder Singh Kohli in theft of 328 Guru Granth Sahib copies

In 2020, SGPC terminated the services of Satinder Singh Kohli, its former internal auditor, and approved legal action to recover 75 per cent of payments.

The SIT formed by GRP to crack this case has been awarded a commendation certificate.The SIT formed by GRP to crack this case has been awarded a commendation certificate. (File Photo)

The Punjab Police Wednesday arrested Satinder Singh Kohli, former internal auditor of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and close associate of Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, in the long-running case of the 328 missing copies (Birs) of the Guru Granth Sahib.

According to police sources, Kohli was arrested late Wednesday, with investigations ongoing into the broader conspiracy behind the missing swaroops.

A First Information Report (FIR) was recently registered at Kotwali police station, Amritsar, naming 16 accused, including former SGPC chief secretary Roop Singh.

Kohli was removed from SGPC on the orders of Sri Akal Takht Sahib in 2020 after his alleged negligence was exposed. The probe report revealed that no SGPC audits had been conducted since 2016, despite Kohli’s firm, SS Kohli & Associates—a private chartered accountancy team—being hired in 2009 for internal audits, account computerisation, and control systems.

The firm performed only one task while billing for four, allegedly receiving over Rs 10 crore from SGPC over 11 years, with monthly payments of Rs 3.5 lakh. This lapse let the alleged mishandling of the Birs go undetected, despite repeated complaints from the Sikh community about poor record-keeping and maintenance.

In 2020, SGPC terminated Kohli’s services with immediate effect and approved legal action to recover 75 per cent of payments.

During a press conference in December last year, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann criticised SGPC for failing to implement recovery proposals against Kohli and questioned his proximity to Sukhbir Badal, president of the SAD (Badal), which controlled SGPC at the time.

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More

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