Seven Punjab Police Officers Suspended Over PM Modi’s Security Breach Last Year

Seven police officers, including the former Superintendent of Police in Ferozepur district and two Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP)-rank officers, have been suspended in connection with a security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Punjab last year.

The incident occurred on January 5, 2022, during the Prime Minister’s attendance at a rally ahead of the Assembly polls. Protesters had blocked the route, causing a 20-minute delay for the Prime Minister’s convoy on a flyover.

Criticism ensued from the BJP, pointing fingers at the then Charanjit Singh Channi government for the security lapse. In response, the Congress argued that last-minute alterations were made to the Prime Minister’s travel plans. A committee appointed by the Supreme Court to investigate the security breach identified several state officers as responsible.

The present Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government has taken action by suspending a total of seven police officers involved in the lapse. Gurbinder Singh, the former Ferozepur police chief now serving as Bathinda SP, had already faced suspension earlier.

A recent order dated November 22 identifies six more officers to face disciplinary measures. Among them are DSPs Parson Singh and Jagdish Kumar, Inspectors Jatinder Singh and Balwinder Singh, Sub-Inspector Jaswant Singh, and Assistant Sub-Inspector Ramesh Kumar, as per the state home department order.

According to the order, all seven officers will undergo action under Rule 8 of the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970. The potential penalties under these rules range from the withholding of promotions to dismissal from service.

Parvasi Media Group