Major question marks are being raised over the removal of Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, following the announcement of a major Pakistan terror module bust.
Bhullar was directed to report to the DGPO’s office, while senior IPS Officer Harmanbir Singh has been appointed as Bhullar’s successor.
In an administrative reshuffle, the Punjab government has appointed senior IPS officer Harmanbir Singh (IPS-2010) as the new Police Commissioner of Amritsar. He was previously serving as the DIG, Border Range, Amritsar. Meanwhile, the incumbent Police Commissioner, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar (IPS-2004), has been directed to report to the DGP’s office; orders regarding his new posting will be issued later.
Just two days ago, Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar had held a press conference claiming to have busted two terror modules backed by Pakistan’s ISI. He had stated that nine accused persons were arrested in connection with the case. Additionally, initial investigations had indicated links between some of the accused and the protest held at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Amidst this, the Punjab government has transferred Gurpreet Singh Bhullar and directed him to report to the DGP’s office. However, the transfer order issued by the Home Department does not specify any reason for the move.
A political firestorm has already erupted over this move. BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu questioned the timing of the move by the AAP government in Punjab, and hit out at AAP chief Arvind Kejriwal. He alleged that the revelations in the Jantar Mantar protests, made by the outgoing Police Commissioner, “troubled’ Kejriwal.