AMRITSAR, June 15 -- Former Akal Takht Jathedar Giani Raghbir Singh on Sunday defended his decision to record a statement with the special investigation team (SIT) probing the 2015 Behbal Kalan police firing case, claiming that similar interactions have taken place in the past as well, and his predecessor Giani Harpreet Singh has also done the same. His remarks came days after former acting Jathedar Giani Harpreet Singh, now heading Shiromani Akali Dal (Punar Surjit), criticised the interaction. "The Akal Takht proceedings are strictly governed by a religious code and spiritual principles. They cannot legally or ethically be treated as judicial or police evidence. My objections are centred on religious protocol and institutional principles rather than any personal differences with Giani Raghbir Singh," Giani Harpreet Singh had said, after the SIT, headed by ADGP Naunihal Singh, visited Giani Raghbir's residence to record his statement. Giani Raghbir succeeded Giani Harpreet as the Akal Takht Jathedar. Both were part of the Sikh clergy that issued the December 2, 2024, decree imposing religious punishment (tankhah) on Sukhbir for "mistakes committed by the SAD government during its tenure in Punjab." He said the allegations and criticism against him seem to be "politically motivated." "Another SIT, probing the case of the missing 328 saroops of Guru Granth Sahib, had recorded a statement of Giani Harpreet Singh at his residence in Bathinda. Has he not been Jathedar of Akal Takht?" Giani Raghbir claimed. The SIT had visited the residence of Giani Harpreet Singh in January this year. "Why was that interaction acceptable, while my meeting with the investigators is now being questioned?" he asked....