Bathinda, June 9: Under the ongoing anti-drug campaign ‘Yuddh Nashiyan Viruddh’, the Punjab government has suspended DSP Harbans Singh, posted in Bathinda district, over alleged negligence and suspected links to drug smugglers.
The suspension comes after a detailed probe by SP Amandeep Kondal and the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), which found serious lapses in the DSP’s handling of drug trafficking cases, particularly his role in the April 2025 arrest of woman constable Amandeep Kaur, from whom 17.71 grams of heroin was seized.
The investigation revealed that Amandeep Kaur misused her position to smuggle drugs, and DSP Harbans Singh delayed necessary action despite having prior knowledge. His conduct during the inquiry raised red flags about possible collusion or willful negligence, officials said.
Moreover, the DSP has come under fire for allegedly failing to act on complaints regarding open drug sale in Dhobiana Basti, a well-known drug trafficking hotspot in Bathinda. Despite repeated reports from locals and internal alerts, no significant crackdown or arrests followed under his supervision, sources added.
The suspension, ordered with immediate effect, underscores the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s zero-tolerance stance on corruption and drug-related complicity within the police force.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, while commenting on the action, said, “No officer, however senior, will be spared if found shielding or supporting the drug trade. We are committed to rooting out this menace.”
The move is part of a larger clean-up operation within law enforcement, with the government focusing not only on catching peddlers but also those within the system who enable the drug economy to flourish.
Officials confirmed that further departmental proceedings and criminal investigation may follow based on findings from digital communications, asset trails, and testimonies from arrested suspects.
This marks the latest in a series of strong measures aimed at dismantling Punjab’s deeply entrenched narcotics network, which has long plagued the youth and destabilised rural communities.
