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Sacrilege at Sathiala gurdwara: 9 pages of Guru Granth Sahib found ‘torn’; one arrested

A case under Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered based on Satnam Singh’s statement.

Multiple teams were formed and a report was sent to the manager of gurdwara Guru Nauvin Patshahi Baba Bakala Sahib for verifying the number and details of the damaged pages.Multiple teams were formed and a report was sent to the manager of gurdwara Guru Nauvin Patshahi Baba Bakala Sahib for verifying the number and details of the damaged pages.

An incident of alleged sacrilege occurred on Saturday morning at the historic Gurdwara Nauvin Patshahi Dhediana Sahib in Sathiala village, Amritsar.

Police arrested a villager, Simranjit Singh, who allegedly tore nine pages from the sacred Guru Granth Sahib and threw them in the nearby street.

The incident came to light at around 7 am when the gurdwara watchman spotted the torn pages in the alley. Head granthi Giani Satnam Singh reported that the pages were found during routine checks.

Local leaders, including gurdwara president Balkar Singh, Sarpanch Gurjinder Singh, Dalbir Singh, Pradhan Buta Singh, and Bibi Balwinder Kaur, informed the police and demanded strict action against the culprits to prevent future occurrences. Villagers gathered, raised slogans against the police, and called for the accused’s swift arrest and public punishment at the village chowk.

According to the police, CCTV footage helped in arresting the accused.

DSP Arun Sharma and SHO of Beas Gurwinder Singh rushed to the scene, cordoned off the area, and initiated investigations.

A case under Section 299 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) was registered based on Satnam Singh’s statement.

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Multiple teams were formed and a report was sent to the manager of gurdwara Guru Nauvin Patshahi Baba Bakala Sahib for verifying the number and details of the damaged pages. Police appealed to the congregation for any leads to nab the perpetrators.

The SHO said that the accused Simranjit is about 27 or 28 years old and works at a welding shop near Baba Bakala.

“He consumes bhang and in that state, a person can lose control. A negative thought crossed his mind, leading to this act. He is not a typical addict. It seems a bad impulse struck him. According to the CCTV footage, he came to pay respects between 7.40 am and 7.45 am, stayed for about five minutes, and did this in the morning,” the police officer added.

The incident has caused widespread anger, with villagers protesting police inaction. DSP Sharma calmed the crowd, assuring quick arrests and secured CCTV remnants and clues.

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SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami strongly condemned the act, demanding rigorous probe and terming it a conspiracy. An SGPC team is expected to investigate the incident.

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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