Punjab issues SOP for Anti-Sacrilege law, mandates strict evidence protocol and forensic-based probe
Ravi Jakhu
Chandigarh, April 20, 2026: The Punjab Bureau of Investigation (PBI), part of the Punjab Police, has released a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) laying down mandatory guidelines for the investigation of sacrilege (beadbi) cases involving Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji, Gutka Sahib, and other Gurbani publications. The procedure also extends to cases related to other revered scriptures such as the Bible, Quran, and Bhagavad Gita.
Click the link to read SOP: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1g3e6N4SQHxMVIB82lD4Hv7JqMmuWd85O/view?usp=sharing
Issued under the signature of PBI Director L.K. Yadav, the SOP states that “investigation is true ascertainment of facts” and emphasises a “delicate balance of rigorous legal protocol, forensic precision, meticulous evidence preservation, and cultural sensitivity,” while prioritising respect for religious sentiments and maryada.
The SOP was issued on April 10 and was subsequently followed by an addendum on April 13 after the Jaagat Jot Sri Guru Granth Sahib Satkar (Amendment) Act, 2026 was passed by the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.
According to the guidelines, the Investigating Officer (IO) and Station House Officer (SHO) must immediately reach the scene of crime, inform senior officers, and register an FIR where a cognisable offence is disclosed, in line with the Supreme Court’s Lalita Kumari judgment. The crime scene must be secured using a “dual perimeter” system to preserve evidence and manage crowd control.
The SOP further directs that forensic teams be called without delay to ensure scientific collection, documentation, and preservation of evidence from the site of incident.