In a landmark move to ensure stringent punishment for those committing the heinous crime of sacrilege, the Punjab Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, on Monday approved the historic Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the Council of Ministers, chaired by the Chief Minister at his official residence.
A spokesperson from the Chief Minister’s Office disclosed that there have been numerous incidents in the past involving the sacrilege of Sri Guru Granth Sahib ji and other revered granths, deeply wounding public sentiment and causing unrest in society. While Sections 298, 299, and 300 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 address such issues, they do not prescribe sufficiently stringent penalties to serve as an effective deterrent. Considering the gravity of such offences and the imperative to preserve communal harmony and religious sanctity, the Cabinet found it necessary to introduce state-specific legislation providing enhanced penalties—including life imprisonment—for those convicted of sacrilege against any holy granth.
Accordingly, the Punjab Prevention of Offences Against Holy Scripture(s) Bill, 2025 has been approved by the Cabinet. The bill mandates strict punishment, extending up to life imprisonment, for the desecration of sacred granths including the Sri Guru Granth Sahib, Bhagavad Gita, Holy Bible, Quran Sharif, and other revered granths. With the enactment of this law, the State seeks to further strengthen the ethos of communal harmony, brotherhood, peace, and amity. It will also act as a strong deterrent against anti-social and anti-national activities by ensuring severe punishment for perpetrators of this heinous crime.
Notably, until now, no specific legislation existed that directly addressed offences against holy granths, often resulting in leniency or evasion of serious action by the culprits. This new Act aims to fill that legal void by criminalizing and prescribing punishments for acts of sacrilege across all sects and faiths. Under the proposed law, any person found guilty of sacrilege may face imprisonment ranging from 10 years to life. Those attempting the offence may be sentenced to three to five years, while individuals found abetting the crime will be punished in accordance with the offence committed.
Green signal for Punjab Regulation of Crusher Units, and Stockists and Retailer Rules, 2025
Meanwhile, the Cabinet also granted approval to the Punjab Regulation of Crusher Units, and Stockists and Retailer Rules, 2025, to ensure that crusher units, stockists, and retailers operate within a regulated framework. These rules have been formulated pursuant to the Punjab Regulation of Crusher Units, and Stockists and Retailer Act, 2025, which was enacted to prevent the procurement of illegally mined sand and gravel by crusher units.
The new rules define detailed procedures, prescribed forms, timelines, authorities, and compliance mechanisms to facilitate effective, transparent, and accountable implementation of the Act. They aim to eliminate ambiguity in operational processes, prevent royalty evasion and illegal mineral trade, and promote environmentally sustainable and legally compliant business operations. Furthermore, these regulations are expected to enhance transparency and curb illegal mining practices across the State.
