Head constable dismissed for indiscipline, violating NDPS Act

According to the SP, Sandhu violated sections 14.8 and 14.44 of the Punjab Police Rules and his conduct fell under Rule 16.2(1). On February 16, Sandhu led a search operation during he which he failed to follow the mandatory NDPS guidelines. As per the Act, searches must be conducted in the presence of a gazetted officer, and proper documentation, including a Daily Diary Report (DDR), must be registered on the spot. The operation violated Sections 50 and 42 of the NDPS Act. “Due to non-compliance with procedure, we failed to apprehend the main supplier,” SP Upasana told the media.

An inquiry into the matter was assigned to DSP Gurvinder Singh. The situation escalated after Sunil posted a video on his Facebook page, accusing a DSP of threatening to implicate him in a fabricated narcotics case. In the video, Sandhu claimed he was being harassed despite his active role in anti-drug campaigns and said he was ready to undergo any test, including a narco test, to prove his innocence.

“I had assigned the inquiry of his allegation against a DSP to another DSP but the inquiry could not be completed as Sunil used a social media platform to mobilise support in his favour and created an atmosphere of fear among police forces through his social media posts. I have dismissed him for his gross misconduct and indiscipline as well as for violating the NDPS Act,” said the SP.

She said there was a proper channel for police officers to raise their grievances and termed the social media post a violation of departmental rules. “There is a mechanism in the department to raise issues but instead Sunil chose social media to mobilise support. This is considered indiscipline,” she said.

"Publicly accusing senior officers on social media without evidence is considered a breach of the code of conduct. He used his uniform for personal gain and created an atmosphere of fear. Indiscipline cannot be tolerated,” she added. Before Sandhu’s dismissal, all nine members of the anti-drug awareness team were sent to police lines on Thursday by the SP for violating the NDPS Act.