The Punjab and Haryana High Court has granted interim anticipatory bail to Kulwant Singh in connection with an FIR registered on December 7, 2025, over the alleged disappearance and unauthorisd handling of 328 sacred saroops of Shri Guru Granth Sahib Ji. Justice Surya Partap Singh’s Bench fixed the case for further hearing on April 28.The FIR in the matter was registered at the instance of ‘Sikh Sadbhavna Dal’. According to the complainant, 328 sacred saroops (holy books), which were in the custody of the Shiromani Gurdwara Prabandhak Committee (SGPC), Amritsar, were found missing in 2016.It was alleged that the accused persons, in connivance with each other, were involved in unauthorised printing, distribution, disappearance and mishandling of sacred saroops, misappropriation and commission of fraud worth Rs 9,82,700 with the institution. The complainant further alleged destruction of evidence and hurting of religious sentiments of the Sikh community.Kulwant Singh was represented by advocates Vivek K. Thakur and Uday Singh Cheema. The State of Punjab was represented by Additional Advocate-General P.I.P. Singh. Senior Advocate Pradeep Virk, along with advocates Kamaldeep Kaur and Paramjit Singh also assisted the Bench in the matter.After perusing the record, Justice Surya Partap Singh observed that the petitioner was 61, not an employee of the SGPC, and there was nothing on record to show that any disrespect to the Holy Scriptures had been committed by the petitioner.The court further noted that the FIR was lodged after considerable delay without proper explanation and that it had not been lodged by the SGPC, which was responsible for religious affairs. It observed that the evidence to be collected was largely documentary in nature and that custodial interrogation of the petitioner was not likely to produce any favourable result.The court also recorded that if any recovery or enquiry was required, the same could be facilitated by directing the petitioner to join the investigation as and when called by the investigating officer. It further observed that the investigation and trial were not likely to be concluded in the near future.The court found nothing on record to indicate that the petitioner, if granted interim anticipatory bail, was likely to tamper with evidence, influence witnesses, or fail to cooperate in the investigation. Taking into consideration the cumulative effect of these factors, Justice Surya Partap Singh held that the petitioner was entitled to interim anticipatory bail.It was ordered that in the event of his arrest, Kulwant Singh would be released on interim anticipatory bail on furnishing bonds to the satisfaction of the arresting officer. He was directed to join the investigation as and when called by the investigating officer and to abide by the terms and conditions.