Punjab vigilance bureau in turmoil: 3 chiefs out, suspensions in over 3 months

LUDHIANA: In less than four months, the Punjab (VB) has seen the removal of three chief directors, suspension of four officers, and reinstatement of two, under the AAP-led Punjab govt.The latest development saw the suspension of Ludhiana VB senior superintendent of police (SSP) Jagatpreet Singh on Friday, accused of "grave misconduct and dereliction of duty." The move came a day after the Ludhiana VB summoned Congress candidate for the June 19 Ludhiana West byelection and former minister Bharat Bhushan Ashu in connection with an alleged case of private school land misuse. The summons sparked a political uproar, with Congress leaders accusing the govt of "misusing state agencies" for electoral gains.

The ongoing crisis began in Feb when the AAP govt removed 1993-batch IPS officer Varinder Kumar, who is to retire on July 31, from his position as VB chief director, replacing him with 1995-batch IPS officer G Nageswara Rao. However, Rao's tenure was short-lived, and by late March, 1997-batch IPS officer S P S Parmar was appointed as the new chief director.A month later, Parmar was suspended on April 25, facing similar charges of "grave misconduct and dereliction of duty."

He was replaced by 1994-batch IPS officer P K Sinha, who currently serves as both VB chief director and Punjab intelligence chief.The suspensions on April 25 also included Mohali VB assistant inspector general Swarandeep Singh and Jalandhar VB SSP Harpreet Singh Mander, following alleged inaction in arresting two transport department officials booked on corruption charges by the VB. Both officers were reinstated after their suspensions were revoked on May 18.In Parmar's case, the Union ministry of home affairs approved his suspension last month after Punjab took up the matter as standard procedure while dealing with such matters pertaining to IPS officers. The MHA has asked the Punjab govt to issue a charge-sheet against Parmar by June 23.

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