Sonepat police chief transferred for failing to provide escort to women panel chief
In a significant administrative move, the Haryana Government has transferred Sonepat Police Commissioner Nazneen Bhasin and handed over additional charge of the Commissionerate to ADGP Mamta Singh. The decision comes in the wake of allegations that Commissioner Bhasin failed to provide the required police escort to Haryana State Commission for Women (HSCW) Chairperson Renu Bhatia during her official visit to Ashoka University in Rai on Thursday.
Police ignored protocol despite advance information, says HSCW chief Renu Bhatia
The Women’s Commission chief had gone to the university to inquire into remarks made by Assistant Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad on social media regarding ‘Operation Sindoor’, India’s recent military response following the terror attack in Pahalgam.
According to Bhatia, the Commission team was left waiting for over two hours at the PWD rest house in Rai for a police escort that never arrived. “The commission was not on a personal visit but to probe a sensitive issue. Despite the police having been sounded, the escort was not provided,” she told The Tribune.
Bhatia further said advance communication had been sent to the Director General of Police, the Sonepat Police Commissioner, and the Deputy Commissioner, requesting that the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) and the SHO of the Women Police Station be present and provide a security escort for the visit.
“While the SHO did reach the rest house, she left saying she had no orders to accompany us to the university. The ACP didn’t show up at all,” said Bhatia. “I called up the Commissioner, but her reply was not satisfactory. It was a serious issue, so I talked to higher-ups in the government, after which the Commissioner was transferred.”
Despite several attempts, Commissioner Nazneen Bhasin could not be reached for comment. Police officials, however, described the transfer as part of a routine administrative reshuffle.
The matter stems from the Commission’s suo motu cognisance of statements allegedly made by Assistant Professor Ali Khan Mahmudabad, concerning India’s military operation. These remarks were circulated widely across social media and digital platforms, prompting the Commission to initiate an inquiry.
The professor was summoned to appear before the Commission on May 14, but he reportedly failed to do so. In response, Chairperson Bhatia visited Ashoka University personally, yet the professor again failed to appear.
Following this, the Women’s Commission recommended registration of an FIR against the professor and submitted a preliminary investigation report. Subsequently, Rai police have registered a case and initiated an inquiry.
