Amritsar, 16 November 2025 — Amritsar (Rural) SSP Maninder Singh has been suspended for allegedly failing to take effective action against gangsters operating in the district, officials said. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann approved the suspension, citing persistent criminal threats despite police operations under Singh’s leadership.
Sources said the move could be connected to the Tarn Taran bypoll, though police officials declined to comment.
The district has recently seen violent incidents, including the September 12 shooting of Ajnala-based doctor Kulwinder Singh inside his hospital. Investigators allege that gangster Jeewan Fauji, reportedly based abroad, orchestrated the attack. Residents have also received several threat calls in the area.
During the Tarn Taran bypoll, CM Mann pledged strict action against criminal networks, while AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal raised concerns about gangster influence in election campaigns. Reports during the bypoll accused SAD candidate Principal Sukhwinder Kaur of allegedly exploiting gangster Amritpal Bath to intimidate voters and local leaders.
Two fresh cases were registered against Bath for threatening voters over the phone. Between 2012 and 2024, Bath had 16 police cases lodged against him, including murder and UAPA-related charges.
Maninder Singh, a 2019-batch IPS officer, led 12 police encounters during his nine-month tenure, yet gangster-related threats and incidents persisted. “Despite repeated operations, criminal activity remained unabated,” said one source familiar with the case.
Efforts to reach DIG Sandeep Goel for comment were unsuccessful.
