EC summons Punjab DGP over 9 ‘coordinated’ FIRs against Akalis

The Election Commission (EC) has summoned Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav on November 25 in connection with complaints received against the police during the period when the model code of conduct was in force for the Tarn Taran bypoll, the results of which were declared on November 14. The ruling AAP candidate, Harmeet Singh Sandhu, won the election.

Highly placed sources in the EC told The Tribune that the DGP had been summoned to explain nine cases registered against Akali workers during the election campaign. The development follows an earlier EC directive that led to the suspension of the then Tarn Taran SSP Ravjot Kaur Grewal on November 8.

The DGP has reportedly been called to clarify the matter after he submitted a sealed-cover report to the EC on November 13. It reportedly stated that the nine cases registered in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, Batala and Moga were legally tenable and part of ongoing investigations. The report was prepared by ADGP Ram Singh, who was deputed to probe the matter by the EC following SAD’s complaints alleging police interference in the election process.

DGP Yadav, who was on a visit to Anandpur Sahib today, declined to comment. “I cannot make any comments as the matter is under consideration of the EC,” he told reporters.

Sources said apart from the DGP’s report, which “justified” the police action, the EC had also taken cognisance of another report submitted by the election observer for Tarn Taran, Odisha-cadre IPS officer Shyni S. This report has reportedly implicated former SSP Ravjot Kaur in the registration of FIRs and arrests.

The observer’s three-page report is said to have highlighted the “coordinated manner of the registration of FIRs in different police districts” and noted that the time between the registration of FIRs and the arrests was insufficient for the police to reach Tarn Taran and apprehend the accused. The report reportedly raised “serious concerns about impartiality of law enforcement during the election period”.

It may be noted that nine FIRs were registered against Akali workers in Tarn Taran, Amritsar, Moga and Batala, allegedly in a “coordinated manner”. While four persons were arrested, six others were named in the FIRs. Before former SSP Ravjot Kaur was suspended, the Chief Electoral Office, Punjab, had sought a reply on SAD’s complaint from the DIG, Ferozepur Range. The DIG had exonerated the former Tarn Taran SSP, stating that the arrests were part of ongoing probe. Following this, the EC directed CEO Sibin C to take up the matter again with the DGP.