Written by Kamaldeep Singh BrarAmritsar | January 3, 2026 03:04 PM IST 4 min readArrest of CA Satinder Singh Kohli revives conflict of interest claims in SGPC case of 328 missing BirsThe arrest of chartered accountant Satinder Singh Kohli this week has brought to the forefront the alleged conflict-of-interest charges against the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) in the case of the 328 missing Birs (copies) of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib.Kohli, a close associate of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, was removed as the SGPC’s internal auditor on the orders of the Sri Akal Takht Sahib in 2020 after his alleged negligence allowed the mishandling of the Birs to go undetected.While the SGPC has formally moved against Kohli on paper, the credibility of its actions remains questionable given his alleged links with the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal), which has a majority in the SGPC elected House. In fact, two days after Kohli’s arrest, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Balraj Pannu alleged that he was arrested from a room booked in the name of a person connected to a private news channel linked to Badal.Talking to The Indian Express, SGPC president and SAD(B) leader Harjinder Singh Dhami dismissed allegations of conflict of interest or bias, and rejected suggestions of leniency due to Kohli’s alleged connections with Badal. “Anyone can level claims; everyone has a view,” Dhami said, pointing out that the SGPC was pursuing a case to recover over Rs 7 crore from Kohli’s firm as directed by the Akal Takht Sahib.Earlier, in a statement on Tuesday, Dhami had claimed that the SGPC was complying with the Akal Takht orders by filing a petition against Kohli at the Sikh Gurdwaras Judicial Commission (SGJC), headed by Satnam Singh Kler.The SGJC hears cases related to SGPC-run gurdwaras, institutes and employees, as per the provisions of the Sikh Gurdwara Act, 1925. Both the SGPC and the state government play a role in the appointment of its chairman. Satnam was appointed in 2016, when the SAD(B) was in power in the state. His son, Arshdeep, is a core committee member of the SAD(B) headed by Badal.The Klers’ links to the SGPC and the SAD(B) had been questioned in 2020, when Satnam apologised to Sikhs for appearing as legal counsel for former Punjab Police chief Sumedh Singh Saini in a human rights violation case related to the murder of Balwant Singh Multani, son of IAS officer Darshan Singh Multani.Story continues below this adThe SGPC’s case against Kohli has been pending in Satnam’s court since 2021. When contacted, he said he had no firsthand information about its status.Dhami also defended Kler. “Judges are chosen per procedure; it is by due course of law, in place for years,” he pointed out.In another development, SGPC member and advocate Bhagwant Singh Sialka represented Kohli in an Amritsar court during hearings on police remand. Sialka is part of an SGPC subcommittee tasked to take action against those whom Akal Takht’s probe committee held responsible in the missing Birs’ case. Last month, on the SGPC’s behalf, Sialka briefed the media on the same issue.In 2020, Sialka had to seek an apology from the Akal Takht after he honoured police officer Paramraj Singh Umranangal, an accused in the Behbal Kalan police firing case in which two Sikh activists were killed.Story continues below this adOn Sialka’s appearance on Kohli’s behalf, Dhami stressed professional boundaries. “Lawyers defend clients…(in his) personal capacity,” he said.Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:chandigarh