Indian police corruption in 13-year-old Sikh girl rape case prompts global outcry

Shocking police corruption around the abduction and rape of a 13-year-old Sikh girl sent shockwaves through the Sikh world last week, as community groups accuse Indian police of trying to protect the “wealthy” culprits.

The case only came to light after weeks of police neglect due to the intervention of leading Sikh body Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee last week, which further prompted more Sikh organizations to get involved to press police into action, finally resulting in arrests.

On 28th April, Sahab (also spelled Saab) Singh, a Granthi (meaning ‘knowledgeable one’, referring to a person in charge of Sikh scripture) at a Gurdwara in Pilibhit in the state of Uttar Pradesh was conducting Rehras (evening meditation/prayer) while his 13-year-old daughter was outside the Gurdwara. Four men in a white car were seen kidnapping the child from the Gurdwara gate whilst everyone else was inside. The next day (29.05.24) an FIR (First Information Report) was filed and and on the 30th the child was recovered from her abusers.

The police identified all four of the attackers but only arrested one on the 10th May. The family continued to go to the police station to demand action, but the police refused to arrest the other three men and threatened to arrest the family if they continued to come to the station, later also threatening the father with a false case. Seemingly to refute the family’s allegations, authorities claim the girl’s mother wanted to file the FIR without explaining the reason.

Sikhs in Uttar Pradesh soon began to claim the police were not looking to arrest help the “wealthy accused persons”. The accused group are believed to be of *upper-caste Hindu background. The Indian caste-system has created a culture of exploitation and normalised corruption in favour of those believed to be of higher background, a philosophy which is often cited as being at the heart of Sikh conflict with the Indian State.

Canada based anti-violence/sexual abuse group The Kaur Movement also acted on the story, posting updates online before affiliate sevadaar (selfless servant) and community figure Amritpal Singh Mehron arrived in the area to press police into action. Upon arrival, a four-hour meeting was held with the police, after which another culprit was arrested and charged in front of the community on (30.05.24) The other two men are yet to be arrested.

On Thursday (30.05.2024) the Jathedar (leader) of the Akal Takht (meaning Eternal Throne, referring to the leading Sikh authority), Giani Raghbir Singh gave an ultimatum to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister, Yogi Adityanath, stating if he does not expedite the arrest of all four accused in the next week, then the Sikh community will be forced to take action themselves. However, police say they have arrested and charged all they can based on evidence.

Yogi Adityanath, one of the leading fanatical Hindu national BJP politicians in the country, has previously claimed that in his state, a person who mistreats a daughter or sister in one square will be shot dead in the next square. However, the lack of action in this case has again left Sikh communities again suffering due to his governance, as has been seen previously in Uttar Pradesh.

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President of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee, Bhai Harjinder Singh Dhami has also called for the immediate arrest of the attackers, and supports the one week ultimatum given by Akal Takht. The SGPC also reminded Yogi Adityanath of his promise of harsh treatment and strict legal action against those who threaten the protection of daughters and sisters.

An update on the arrest of the two remaining culprits or SGPC action for it are expected shortly.

*The Sikh Press Association, like all panthic groups/orgs, do not subscribe to any belief in caste. The reference to caste is to relay the reality of hierarchies within Indian culture, and how it contributes to the subjugation of minorities and so-called lower-castes.