Amritsar (Punjab): A court in Amritsar on Tuesday remanded the accused in the Golden Temple sacrilege case to three days of police custody as investigations into the incident continue to widen. The Punjab Police produced the accused before the court after bringing him from Uttar Pradesh earlier in the day.
The accused, identified as Suhhan Rangeez, a resident of Delhi, was arrested in connection with an objectionable act allegedly committed at the sacred sarovar of Sri Harmandir Sahib earlier this month. Acting on a complaint filed by the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), the police registered a case of sacrilege against him.
According to investigators, the incident occurred on January 13 when the accused visited the Golden Temple complex. He allegedly sat near the holy sarovar and carried out an act that hurt religious sentiments. After the incident, he reportedly moved around the temple premises and got a video recorded with the help of another individual.
The accused was apprehended on January 24 in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, after being identified by Nihangs, who later handed him over to the local police. Since then, he had remained in the custody of Ghaziabad Police before being transferred to Punjab for further legal proceedings.
Meanwhile, officials have confirmed that the investigation has taken a new turn with the emergence of an alleged foreign connection. Police sources said the name of Pakistan-based handler Shahzad Bhatti has surfaced during the probe, and the angle is being examined to ascertain any larger conspiracy behind the incident.
Punjab Police officials stated that custodial interrogation is required to verify links, identify accomplices, and establish the motive behind the act. Further investigation is underway.
