A significant development in Punjab’s policing department emerges as Superintendent of Police (SP) Gurbinder Singh faces suspension over alleged negligence in duty during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state in January last year. The suspension, effective immediately, comes as a repercussion of a security breach that occurred during the PM’s visit, impacting political events related to the Punjab Assembly elections.
Singh, who held the position of Superintendent of Police (Operations) at the time of the incident, was stationed in Ferozepur during PM Modi’s visit. The suspension order, issued by the Punjab Home Department, directs Singh’s immediate suspension from his current posting in Bathinda district.
The security lapse, which occurred on January 5, 2022, resulted in Prime Minister Modi’s convoy being stranded on a flyover due to a blockade by protesters in Ferozepur. Consequently, the Prime Minister had to forego attending scheduled events, including a rally, triggering a major political controversy in the region.
The suspension order references a report dated October 18, 2023, submitted by the Director General of Police (DGP), where the state police chief noted Singh’s alleged failure to fulfill his duties adequately during the security breach.
The order, issued in Punjabi, cites the immediate suspension of the concerned officer following a thorough consideration of the matter by the competent authority.
Earlier, a committee appointed by the Supreme Court investigated the security breach, implicating multiple state officers for various lapses. The apex court’s decision to appoint the committee emphasized the need for a judicially trained independent assessment of the incident, recognizing the significance of impartial inquiries.
The suspension of SP Gurbinder Singh marks a significant step in addressing the security breach during PM Modi’s visit, highlighting the repercussions of lapses in duty within the state’s law enforcement apparatus.
Sources By Agencies
