Amritsar, Jan. 13 -- In a significant shift in stance, Akal Takht acting jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj on Monday directed the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to cooperate with the Punjab government regarding the case of 328 missing sacred saroops (scriptures) of Guru Granth Sahib.

The directive comes days after the Sikh clergy had initially termed government interference in the matter as "not in the Panth's interest."

Giani Gargaj's about-face comes three days ahead of CM Bhagwant Mann slated appearance before the Akal Takht for 'derogatory' remarks on Sikh tenets.

The jathedar has now authorised SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami to provide the required information to investigators at its Chandigarh sub-office....