Sikh preacher Dhandrianwale booked for rape and murder
The petitioner had alleged that his sister’s postmortem revealed poisoning, but no action was taken by the police at the time.
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On December 7, 2024, an FIR was registered against Dhandrianwale at Passiana police station. (Facebook/ @Bhai Ranjit Singh Ji Dhadrianwale)) The Punjab Police has informed the Punjab and Haryana High Court that an FIR has been registered against Sikh preacher Ranjit Singh Dhandrianwale in connection with a 12-year-old rape and murder case in Patiala.
The FIR, lodged under Sections 302 (murder), 376 (rape), and 506 (criminal intimidation) of the Indian Penal Code, pertains to the death of a woman found unconscious outside Gurudwara Parmeshwar Dwar, Sheikhpura, in 2012. The case was registered at Passiana police station based on a complaint by the victim’s brother.
The information was shared through an affidavit filed by Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav before a bench led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu. The petitioner had alleged that his sister’s postmortem revealed poisoning, but no action was taken by the police at the time. He also claimed to have received threats from the accused’s followers after raising the issue.
According to the DGP’s affidavit, the victim was initially found unconscious on April 22, 2012, and later died at Rajindra Hospital, Patiala. Statements recorded at the time, including those of her mother, indicated no suspicion of foul play. A postmortem revealed death due to poisoning by aluminium phosphide insecticide. The victim’s family later testified before an Executive Magistrate that they did not suspect anyone in her death.
The affidavit noted that from June to November 2012, the victim’s sister submitted four complaints alleging Dhandrianwale’s involvement, but police inquiries recommended closing the matter. These records were destroyed in 2020 as part of routine office procedures.
The case resurfaced when the petitioner alleged that he was threatened in September 2023 by individuals warning him against pursuing justice. On December 7, 2024, an FIR was registered against Dhandrianwale at Passiana police station.
The High Court, while hearing the petition, had previously asked the DGP to explain what action was taken against police officers who handled the case in 2012. The affidavit stated that show cause notices were issued to then-DSP Samana Sewa Singh Mahi (now retired) and then-SHO Passiana Ashok Kumar (now SP) on December 7, 2024.
Dhandrianwale’s counsel GS Ghuman said, “The allegations are baseless, it’s a fictitious story made by the petitioner, who himself has signed an affidavit in 2012 denying any foul play in the death of his sister. The victim’s postmortem report never mentioned rape, or any injury. Baba Ranjit Singh has complete trust in the judiciary and he will cooperate in the investigation.”
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