Punjab dismisses 52 cops for corruption, 42 are constables

The Punjab Police have dismissed 52 personnel over the past 10 days for involvement in corruption, criminal activities or prolonged absenteeism, Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav said on Wednesday.

Addressing the media here, the DGP said the action aligned with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s directions for ensuring transparency, accountability and integrity in public service.

Crackdown on lower ranks

• Of the 52 dismissed cops, one is inspector, 5 assistant sub-inspectors, four head-constables and 42 constables
• Highest 7 dismissals are in Ludhiana, 5 in Patiala and 4 each in Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur
• The crackdown in Punjab follows ruling AAP’s renewed focus on eradicating corruption after the party’s poor show in Delhi Assembly poll

Following the Aam Aadmi Party’s poor performance in the Delhi Assembly elections, the Mann government in Punjab has intensified crackdown on corruption. The AAP had won the 2022 Assembly poll in Punjab on the promise of eradicating corruption, particularly among the “black sheep” in uniform. However, the latest dismissals are limited to officials up to the rank of inspector.

Yadav said the dismissed officials included one inspector, five assistant sub-inspectors, four head-constables and 42 constables across various districts. The highest seven dismissals are in Ludhiana —four under the Commissionerate of Police and three in the Ludhiana-Rural wing. Five police personnel have been dismissed in Patiala, followed by four each in Jalandhar and Hoshiarpur.

The DGP said the dismissals were carried out following an exercise conducted by the Commissioners of Police and the SSPs against tainted officials in various districts. He said the exercise to identify officials wanted in FIRs, facing serious allegations or indulging in corrupt practices would continue. He said an SHO and two constables were recently arrested in Faridkot on extortion charges. Meanwhile, the DGP said the Punjab Police were all set to introduce e-FIR facility for motor vehicle theft, which would allow complainants to lodge an FIR using online platform or visiting Saanjh Kendras.