In a shocking statement that has triggered widespread condemnation, Giani Malkit Singh, the Head Granthi of Akal Takht Sahib, defended the recent murder of social media influencer Kanchan Kumari, also known as Kamal Kaur, claiming that “nothing wrong” had occurred and suggesting that such outcomes were justified for individuals who allegedly defame the Sikh religion.
“Such treatment should be meted out to people who defame the Sikh religion. Nothing wrong has happened,” Singh told reporters in Amritsar.
The remarks came days after Kanchan Kumari’s body was found in a locked car near Adesh Hospital in Bathinda. She had been missing since June 9, after reportedly leaving home to attend a promotional event.
Bathinda Superintendent of Police Narinder Singh stated that police received a tip on June 12 about a foul smell coming from a car parked at the hospital. Upon arrival, officers discovered Kumari’s body in the vehicle’s back seat.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that the body was dumped in the car after death. This is not the spot where she died,” SP Singh clarified.
He added that the car belonged to Kumari and that a murder investigation is underway, with authorities working to identify those responsible.
The Head Granthi’s statement has drawn sharp criticism from civil society, human rights groups, and members of the Sikh community, who have called his remarks inflammatory and dangerous. Many have demanded legal action against Singh for appearing to justify violence.
Kanchan Kumari, a Ludhiana-based influencer, had a significant following on social media platforms. Her death, already under intense scrutiny, is now entangled in a wider debate on religious intolerance, free speech, and vigilantism.
