7 Punjab cops SACKED over PM Modi's security lapse during 2022 visit

The Punjab government has suspended seven police officers in connection with the security breach involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the state in January 2022.

Punjab suspends 7 police officials over PM Modi’s security lapse

Those facing action include the then senior superintendent of police (SSP) of Ferozepur district Gurbinder Singh, now serving as Bathinda SSP, who had been previously suspended as well.

The latest home department order names six more officials: Deputy Superintendents of police Parson Singh and Jagdish Kumar, inspectors Jatinder Singh and Balwinder Singh, sub-inspector Jaswant Singh and assistant sub-inspector Ramesh Kumar.

Seven Police officers - Bathinda SP Gurbinder Singh, DSP Parson Singh, DSP Jagdish Kumar, Inspector Tejinder Singh, Inspector Balwinder Singh, Inspector Jatinder Singh and ASI Rakesh Kumar suspended in the case involving PM Narendra Modi's security lapse in Punjab on January 5,…

— ANI (@ANI) November 26, 2023

The suspensions follow findings of a Supreme Court-appointed panel which investigated lapses that left PM Modi’s convoy stranded on a flyover for 20 minutes due to an apparent blockade by protesting farmers on January 5 last year.

BJP accused previous Congress government

While the BJP had accused the previous Congress government led by Charanjit Singh Channi of deliberately endangering the prime minister’s security, the party denied the allegations and termed it an unforeseen change in travel plans.

Now under the Aam Aadmi Party’s governance, the suspended personnel face departmental inquiries and penalties under service rules ranging from withheld promotions to potential dismissal.

The incident remains a sore point between state and central authorities. Officials said exemplary action for negligence serves as a necessary signal when constitutional functionaries’ safety is at stake during events involving massive mobilization.

With elections then nearing, the PM’s rally cancellation at Ferozepur had also sparked massive political uproar around accountability for securing VVIP movements.