'Why Punjab’s transfer policy stops at constables': HC questions, seeks affidavit on higher-rank officers

Expressing surprise that Punjab’s transfer policy applies only to lower-ranking police personnel, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Tuesday questioned why officers of higher ranks had been kept outside its ambit and asked the State to reconsider the issue.

The court also took note of disciplinary action pending against Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police, Mohali, in connection with the security lapse during the Prime Minister’s visit on January 20, 2022. The Bench gave time to the state to update it on the status of the disciplinary proceedings.

Referring to the transfer policy, the Bench asserted: “It is strange that such a policy is applicable to only lower rank police officials. Such a policy ought to be applicable to higher ranks.”

The assertion came after the court was informed by the Director-General of Police that police officers from the rank of Constable to Inspector were posted in a particular district for a maximum period of three years as per instructions issued on May 21, 2020. A manpower audit was also underway in the state.

However, the Bench was unconvinced by the limited scope of the policy and said the State should extend it upwards. “The State should consider that those police officers of the rank of Inspector and above, who have stayed in a particular district for three years at a stretch, are transferred to other places in terms of these instructions,” the court said.

Directing further compliance, the Bench of Justice Anupinder Singh Grewal and Justice Deepak Manchanda ordered: “The Director-General of Police, Punjab, shall file an affidavit in this regard.”

The court, during the course of the hearing, added it had come to its notice that the Senior Superintendent of Police, Mohali, was facing disciplinary proceedings with regard to the security lapse during the visit of the Prime Minister on January 20, 2022.

The state counsel, in response, sought time. “Learned State counsel prays for time to inform this Court about the status of the disciplinary proceedings. He may do so by the next date of hearing,” the order said. The court also took note of the DGP’s submissions that a helpline had been set up on January 21 in response to concerns over extortion calls.

“Till date 279 such calls have been received,” the DGP stated, adding that an affidavit would be filed clarifying what action had been taken on these complaints and whether any complainant had subsequently been physically harmed.

Before parting, the court directed the Principal Secretary (Jails), Punjab, to file a status report on measures taken to strengthen jail security in terms of earlier directions. The matter has been listed for further hearing on February 18.