Photo Source: Babushahi Bureau
Breaking: AAP releases alleged audio of Virsa Singh Valtoha in Chawla rape case, seeks answers from SGPC
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, October 2, 2026: The controversy surrounding the rape case registered against former Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) member Amarjit Singh Chawla took a new turn after the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) released an alleged audio recording of a conversation involving Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Virsa Singh Valtoha and the Bahrain-based woman who has accused Chawla of rape.
AAP Punjab General Secretary and media in-charge Baltej Pannu released the audio during a press conference and questioned the circumstances surrounding the woman’s prolonged stay at SGPC-managed sarais in Sri Anandpur Sahib.
The FIR, registered at Anandpur Sahib police station on August 21, contains allegations by the woman of rape, wrongful confinement and criminal intimidation against Chawla. Chawla has denied the allegations and described the case as false and fabricated.
AAP raises questions over woman’s stay
Pannu claimed that the alleged audio contains references to periods of seven and eight months and discussions concerning financial transactions. He questioned why the woman was brought from Bahrain to Punjab and how she was able to stay for an extended period at SGPC-run facilities.
According to the FIR, the complainant returned from Bahrain on November 17, 2025, and was provided accommodation at a serai of Takht Kesgarh Sahib. The FIR states that she stayed there from February 27 to August 16, 2026, before allegedly being shifted to another serai.
Police are examining the circumstances surrounding her accommodation and the people who facilitated her stay.
The Tribune reported that investigators have questioned an SGPC driver, who allegedly told them that the woman had stayed for around eight months at different inns near Takht Kesgarh Sahib and that Chawla had arranged accommodation, meals and local transportation. The police said these statements were being verified.
Questions over SGPC inquiry
Pannu also questioned the internal inquiry constituted by SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami, arguing that an independent investigation was required.
The SGPC had initially constituted a committee to examine the matter. However, on October 1, Dhami called for the Punjab government to hand the rape-case investigation over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), citing concerns about the impartiality of the existing probe. He said the SGPC’s internal committee would continue examining the administrative aspects of the matter.
Pannu demanded answers from Dhami and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal regarding the circumstances in which the woman was brought to Punjab, her prolonged stay at SGPC facilities and the alleged financial arrangements connected with her stay.
He also questioned whether senior SAD leaders were aware of the woman’s presence and circumstances.
Case remains under investigation
The controversy began after the woman, who is from Punjab and settled in Bahrain, accused Chawla of rape and wrongful confinement at a serai in Anandpur Sahib. Chawla subsequently resigned from his SGPC and SAD positions and denied the allegations.
The Akal Takht later took disciplinary action against Chawla, while the SGPC accepted his resignation and initiated an administrative inquiry.
With questions now being raised about the woman’s travel, accommodation, alleged financial arrangements and the handling of her complaints, the matter continues to be investigated by the authorities.
The alleged audio released by AAP has not, by itself, established the authenticity of the recording or proved the allegations being made in connection with it.