Five days after torn pages of a Gutka Sahib were found scattered in Malout town, police said the incident — the first case registered under the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026 — may be linked to scrap brought to the area. A forensic report has been sought.
The sacrilege was reported on Thursday in Ward No. 10 of Indira Basti, where over 70 torn pages of Sukhmani Sahib were found lying on the road. Local residents collected the pages respectfully and alerted the police.
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DSP Harjit Singh Mann said, “Over 150 scrap collectors, mostly migrants, live in the area and store scrap there. The torn pages of Gutka Sahib may have come with the scrap. No suspicious movement has been spotted so far during our investigation. We have sought a report from forensic science experts and are awaiting it.”
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A case has been registered at the Malout City police station against unidentified persons under Section 5 of the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act and Section 299 of the BNS.
On Friday, local residents held a meeting at Gurdwara Bhai Jagta Ji regarding the incident. Police assured them that the accused would be traced and arrested within 10-12 days.
The Punjab Vidhan Sabha passed the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026 during a special session on April 13. Governor Gulab Chand Kataria gave his assent on April 19.
The new law prescribes stricter punishment for sacrilege of Guru Granth Sahib. Anyone found involved in or abetting such acts may be imprisoned for 10 years to life and fined between Rs 5 and Rs 25 lakh