The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Wednesday, 24 June demanded that the alleged sacrilege case involving Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann be transferred in its entirety to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), arguing that only a federal agency could credibly investigate what it described as an inter-state conspiracy with a traceable money trail.

Why SAD Wants CBI Intervention

Party leader Maheshinder Grewal told reporters that the case had acquired inter-state dimensions, making a CBI probe the only viable path to accountability. Grewal is one of five members of an Akali Dal committee constituted to approach religious organisations and the Sant Samaj to build a public movement against the Chief Minister.

Grewal alleged that Chief Minister Mann was 'clearly the prime accused' and further claimed that fabrication of documents and forgery had been carried out at Mann's instance — allegations the Chief Minister has not publicly addressed at the time of this report.

Allegations of Fake Forensic Reports and Constitutional Crisis

Akali Dal leader Daljit Cheema alleged that a 'constitutional crisis' had been created in Punjab, with CM Mann becoming the beneficiary of a first information report (FIR). He alleged that in the process, the Chief Minister had violated the law and the Constitution to protect himself, misused state power and treasury funds, and had 'attempted to show Akal Takht Sahib in a poor light.'

Cheema further demanded that the Chief Minister explain in what capacity he had deployed commissioner-level Punjab Police officers to procure what the party described as a fake forensic report. He also called on Finance Minister Harpal Cheema to clarify on what basis the forensic reports were made public and presented as genuine.

Another Akali leader, Balwinder Bhunder, alleged that Mann had first confronted Akal Takht Sahib and then resorted to falsehoods, including procuring a fake forensic report from Gurgaon. Bhunder further alleged that after being exposed — with evidence reportedly showing the reports were manufactured by Punjab Police officials — Mann was 'again trying to mislead the Sikh sangat with new lies.'

The Aam Aadmi Party's Alleged Role

Grewal also alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had created a fabricated document and circulated it in the public domain as genuine, while simultaneously seeking a probe into the sacrilege case by Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav. These are contested allegations; AAP and the Punjab government have not issued a public rebuttal to these specific claims as per available information.

Background and What Comes Next

The sacrilege controversy has deepened political fault lines in Punjab, pitting the ruling AAP government against the SAD, which has historically positioned itself as the guardian of Sikh religious interests. The involvement of Akal Takht Sahib — the highest temporal seat of Sikh authority — lends the dispute significant religious weight beyond its political dimensions.

The SAD's five-member committee is expected to continue outreach to religious bodies and the Sant Samaj in the coming days. Whether the Centre or the courts take cognisance of the CBI demand remains to be seen, and the Punjab government's formal response to the allegations will be closely watched.