10 months ago
Punjab Suspends Amritsar Rural SSP Over Gangster Inaction
In Punjab, the police chief of Amritsar Rural, Maninder Singh, has been suspended.
The government says he wasn't doing enough to stop gangsters in his area.
This suspension happened right after an election in Tarn Taran.
During that election, the police chief of Tarn Taran, Ravjot Kaur Grewal, was also suspended by election officials.
She was accused of being unfair and misusing her power to help the ruling party.
The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) party complained that the police were harassing their members and making up charges against them.
However, a local police report disagreed, saying the SAD's complaints were not true and the police were doing their regular job.
Election officials found problems with how the police acted in several districts, not just Tarn Taran.
Now, a new police chief is in charge of Tarn Taran, and another senior officer is investigating the claims of unfair arrests.
Amritsar Rural SSP Maninder Singh suspended by the Punjab government for alleged inaction against gangsters.
The suspension of Maninder Singh follows the results of the Tarn Taran Assembly bypoll.
Tarn Taran SSP Dr Ravjot Kaur Grewal was previously suspended by the Election Commission of India (ECI) for alleged bias and misuse of police authority.
SAD alleged that Tarn Taran police, under Grewal, orchestrated false FIRs and harassment to sabotage their campaign.
A report by an ECI observer noted serious lapses in impartial conduct by police in Tarn Taran and surrounding districts, contradicting a local police report that cleared the Tarn Taran police.
- Who
- Maninder Singh, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) of Amritsar Rural
- What
- Suspended for alleged dereliction of duty and inaction against gangsters.
- Where
- Amritsar Rural, Punjab
- When
- Saturday
- Why
- Allegations of inaction against gangsters operating in the district.
Election Commission of India (ECI)
Ferozepur Range DIG Harmanbir Singh Gill
Assessment of Tarn Taran Police Actions
Election Commission of India (ECI)
The ECI observer's report highlighted 'serious lapses in impartial conduct' and 'concerted actions' by police, leading to the suspension of Tarn Taran SSP Dr Ravjot Kaur Grewal.
Ferozepur Range DIG Harmanbir Singh Gill
DIG Harmanbir Singh Gill submitted a report on the same day exonerating the Tarn Taran police, calling SAD's complaints 'baseless' and affirming arrests were routine and lawful.
Allegations of Electoral Interference
Election Commission of India (ECI)
SAD candidate Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa alleged surveillance, harassment, and framing of SAD leaders with false FIRs by the Tarn Taran police to sabotage their campaign.
Ferozepur Range DIG Harmanbir Singh Gill
The Ferozepur Range DIG's report deemed these complaints 'baseless'.
Key facts
- Suspended Official
- Maninder Singh, SSP Amritsar Rural
- Reason for Suspension
- Alleged inaction against gangsters operating in the district.
- Date of Suspension
- Saturday
- Previously Suspended Official
- Dr Ravjot Kaur Grewal, SSP Tarn Taran
- Reason for Previous Suspension
- Allegations of bias and misuse of police authority during Model Code of Conduct.
- Complainant Against Grewal
- SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal
- New Tarn Taran SSP
- Surinder Lamba
- Officer Probing Alleged Wrongful Arrests
- Special DGP Ram Singh
Timeline
AAP MLA Harmit Singh Pathanmajra faced arrest for rape allegations.
He then allegedly escaped police custody amidst gunfire.
His party later nominated Harmeet Singh Sandhu for Tarn Taran.
Sandhu secured victory in the by-election.
Quotes
Neetu Shatranwala
Independent candidate
“This was my 13th election, I got defeated but… I will contest again. I am not well read as I never went to school after class 3, but I have the will to serve the society… will fight against drugs, for better job opportunities, education whether I win elections or not.”
indianexpress.com
“voters continue to chase mainstream parties and do not give space to “a common man who wants to serve them””
indianexpress.com
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD)
A political party in Punjab
“false FIRs against SAD leaders and workers to sabotage their campaign, including charges of criminal intimidation, conspiracy, and election misconduct.”
indianexpress.com
“police impersonation by unidentified individuals posing as officers and targeted detentions to favour AAP.”
indianexpress.com
Election Commission of India (ECI) observer Shyni S
An official appointed by the Election Commission of India to observe the byelection
“serious lapses in impartial conduct”
indianexpress.com
“concerted actions”
indianexpress.com
A government source
An anonymous source within the government
“2019 batch IPS officer’s suspension to inaction against gangsters operating in his district.”
indianexpress.com
Ferozepur Range DIG Harmanbir Singh Gill
A Deputy Inspector General of Police in the Ferozepur Range
“baseless”
indianexpress.com
Sources
AAP’s Harmeet Sandhu wins Tarn Taran bypoll
Punjab: AAP’s Harmeet Sandhu Wins Tarn Taran Bypoll
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AAP candidate Harmeet Sandhu Takes Lead In Tarn Taran bypoll, SAD Nominee Trailing
Anta by-poll result 2025 LIVE: Congress candidate Pramod Jain Bhaya in lead with 614 votes
Despite defeat in Tarn Taran bypoll, Akali Dal chief describes party's performance resounding
Punjab: AAP retains Tarn Taran assembly seat, celebrations erupt at party offices
Ahead of 2027 Assembly polls, Punjab’s AAP retain Tarn Taran seat
AAP’s Harmeet Singh Sandhu Retains Tarn Taran Seat
Independent candidate loses Tarn Taran bypoll: his 13th contest without any win
