Court finds no prima facie evidence of misappropriation or criminal intent in the case involving sacred scriptures.
In a significant ruling, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted anticipatory bail to Manjit Singh, the former Secretary of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), in a case involving allegations of negligence, forgery, and mishandling of sacred scriptures of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The judgment, delivered by Justice Manisha Batra, emphasized the lack of prima facie evidence indicating misappropriation or criminal intent by the petitioner.
Manjit Singh was implicated in an FIR registered on December 7, 2025, which accused him and others of unauthorized activities concerning 328 sacred saroops (holy books) of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. The FIR, filed by Baldev Singh from the Sikh Sadbhavna Dal, alleged that these saroops were missing and mishandled, leading to significant misappropriation and fraud.
The court noted the significant delay in lodging the FIR, which was filed several years after the alleged incidents from 2011 to 2016. It also highlighted that the FIR was not lodged by the SGPC, the competent body, but rather by a third party, raising questions about the delay and the party filing the complaint.
In its deliberations, the court found that the allegations against Singh were primarily based on negligence and not on any act of misappropriation or criminal intent. The court observed that the evidence needed was largely documentary, making custodial interrogation unnecessary.
Justice Batra's judgment took into account Singh's clean antecedents and the absence of risk in tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses. The court directed Singh to join the investigation within ten days and to cooperate as required. In the event of arrest, he is to be released on anticipatory bail upon furnishing adequate personal/surety bonds.
This decision underscores the court's stance on ensuring justice while considering the procedural delays and the nature of allegations. The ruling provides a respite to Singh, who has been contesting his implication in the case, arguing that he was made a scapegoat due to the actions of other officials.
Bottom Line:
Grant of anticipatory bail in a case involving allegations of negligence, forgery, and mishandling of sacred scriptures of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji - Custodial interrogation deemed unnecessary as allegations pertain to negligence without prima facie evidence of misappropriation or criminal intent.
Statutory provision(s): Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023 Section 482, Sections 295, 295A, 408, 409, 465, 120B, 466, 467, 468, 471 of IPC, Section 5 of Jagat Jot Shri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar Act, 2008.
Manjit Singh v. State of Punjab, (Punjab And Haryana) : Law Finder Doc id # 2875877
