Woman Files Rape Case Against SGPC Member & SAD VP Amarjit Singh Chawla; He Resigns From Both Posts, Calls Allegations “Completely False, Baseless”

Can a rape case cost a man his public positions before guilt is proven? SGPC member and SAD senior vice-president Amarjit Singh Chawla calls the allegations “completely false, baseless” and resigns from his posts.

PUNJAB: A Rape  FIR has been registered against Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) senior vice-president and SGPC member Amarjit Singh Chawla after a woman from Punjab’s Malwa region made allegations of sexual exploitation, threats and pressure against him. Chawla has denied the allegations and stepped down from his political and religious positions.

According to The Tribune, police registered the FIR at Anandpur Sahib Police Station on August 21, 2026. It concerns alleged incidents between February 27 and August 19, 2026. One alleged incident reportedly took place at Bhai Bachittar Singh Yatri Niwas in Anandpur Sahib.

The complainant alleged that Chawla came into contact with her, gave her certain assurances and later sexually exploited her. She also alleged that she faced threats and pressure. The woman has reportedly recorded her statement before a judicial magistrate.

The FIR has been registered under Sections 64, 127(2) and 351(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), relating respectively to rape, wrongful confinement and criminal intimidation. These allegations are contained in an FIR and have not yet been proved in court.

Chawla strongly denied the allegations in a video message. He described them as false and fabricated and alleged a conspiracy against him. He said that he would establish his innocence before the court.

The case has already had consequences outside the courtroom. Chawla announced that he was resigning from his SGPC membership and the post of senior vice-president of SAD, saying that he did not want the controversy to create difficulties for the party.

Chawla said:

“I have sent my resignation to SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami.”

The case is still under investigation, and no court has found Chawla guilty or innocent.

EXPLANATORY TABLE OF LAWS AND SECTIONS

CASE DETAILS

KEY TAKEAWAYS

1. Allegations Are Not Guilt: A woman has accused Chawla of serious offences, but the charges are yet to be proved in court.
2. Damage Before Verdict: Chawla resigned from his SAD and SGPC posts while denying the allegations. The consequences began before any finding of guilt.
3. The Man’s Side Matters: Chawla called the allegations “completely false, baseless” and alleged a conspiracy. His defence deserves to be heard too.
4. FIR Is Not Conviction: An FIR starts the criminal process; it does not establish guilt. Evidence, not allegations, must decide the case.
5. Men Deserve Due Process Too: A complainant deserves a fair investigation, but an accused man equally deserves the presumption of innocence and a fair trial.