Amid growing outrage over the rape and murder of a 13-year-old girl in Jalandhar’s West area, Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj of the Akal Takht Sahib visited the victim’s home on Thursday and offered prayers for the departed soul.
The Jathedar met the grieving family, expressed solidarity and demanded the strictest possible punishment for the accused.
Calling the crime “unforgivable,” Jathedar Gargaj urged the Punjab Chief Minister and the Director General of Police to ensure that the case is tried in a fast-track court and that the accused is awarded the death penalty.
He also issued a clear message that the incident should not be linked to Sikhism in any manner, stating that “a sinner has no religion and Sikhs never protect criminals.” He added that the accused must be punished so severely that no one in society ever dares to think of committing such a crime again.
The victim’s family also demanded immediate action against police personnel who failed to locate the girl during the initial search, alleging that negligence and delay allowed the crime to escalate into tragedy.
The family further claimed that pressure was being exerted on them to suppress the case and appealed directly to the Prime Minister for intervention, insisting that the accused be hanged.
Both the family and the Jathedar warned the administration that if any attempt was made to shield the culprits or dilute the investigation, they would organise a large protest after the girl’s funeral.
The warning comes at a time when public anger continues to intensify in Jalandhar, with repeated demands for accountability and rapid justice.