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Punjab police register first case under new sacrilege act in Malout
Punjab police registered the first case under the Jaagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act after torn pages of a gutka were found in Malout. The act, which came into force on April 20, prescribes stringent penalties for sacrilege of the Guru Granth Sahib. Police are investigating with CCTV footage and local residents.
Why It Matters
This marks the first application of the new law amid ongoing concerns over sacrilege in Punjab; it signals government deterrence measures.
Timeline
5 Events
First case under sacrilege act filed in Malout
April 30, 2026
In Malout town, torn pages of a Sukhmani Sahib gutka were found on a street. An FIR was registered on the same night against unidentified persons under the new act. About 40 pages were recovered and handed to a nearby gurdwara; police began questioning local residents and scanned CCTV footage. Investigators examined whether ragpickers could have delivered the damaged gutka to the area. The SGPC met police officials seeking identification of culprits and appropriate action; SGPC officials emphasized punishment for the culprits and noted that justice would follow once culprits are identified. AAP spokesperson Neel Garg welcomed the prompt action.
Act comes into force
April 20, 2026
The Jaagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act came into force on April 20, 2026.
Governor approves sacrilege act
April 17, 2026
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria approved the Jaagat Jyot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act on April 17, 2026.
High Court transfer order
April 9, 2026
The Punjab and Haryana high court ordered the transfer of trial in two FIRs related to the 2015 Kotkapura firing from Faridkot to Chandigarh.
Bargari sacrilege background (2015)
October 2015
The Bargari-related sacrilege episodes in October 2015, including the theft of a bir (copy) of the Guru Granth Sahib, recovery of sacrilegious posters, and the alleged tearing of pages of the holy book at Bargari in Faridkot, prompted widespread protests.