CHANDIGARH: The Punjab government has revoked the suspension orders of AIG Flying Squad, Vigilance Bureau (VB), Swarandeep Singh, and SSP Vigilance, Jalandhar, Harpreet Singh Mander, who were earlier removed from duty over alleged inaction in a driving licence scam.
The reinstatement comes just weeks after the Vigilance Bureau conducted statewide surprise inspections at Regional Transport Authority (RTA) offices and driving test centres. The operation led to multiple arrests and exposed a network of bribery and fraudulent practices involving RTA staff and agents accused of charging illegal fees to fast-track driving licence processing or tamper with test outcomes.
The fresh orders to revoke the suspensions were issued by Additional Chief Secretary (Home) Alok Shekhar.
However, the suspension of former Vigilance Bureau Chief Surinder Pal Singh Parmar, a 1997-batch IPS officer, remains in effect. According to official sources, the Ministry of Home Affairs has approved the continuation of Parmar’s suspension and directed the Punjab government to issue a formal charge-sheet by June 23, 2025. “Further action will be decided after Parmar submits his response,” a senior official said.
The April 15 suspension of the three senior officers followed government claims that “despite the availability of evidence, no immediate action was taken against those involved in the scam.” Parmar was also issued a show-cause notice, but the absence of follow-up reportedly triggered deeper concerns within the administration. There are suspicions that internal leaks may have enabled some accused individuals to escape.
Criticism soon followed from political quarters. Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa lashed out at the AAP government, questioning the motive behind the suspensions and subsequent reinstatements. “First AAP government suspended senior Vigilance Bureau officers claiming a crackdown on corruption. Now, they’re reinstated — same posts, suspension period not even counted. Both decisions can’t be right,” Bajwa wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “Did AAP suspend them to make them fall in line, and now they’ve complied? This isn’t governance. It’s intimidation.”
The changes mark continued instability in the state’s top vigilance agency. Parmar’s suspension was the third leadership shake-up within three months. In February, VB Chief Director Varinder Kumar was removed, followed by G Nageshwar Rao in March. Currently, Additional Director General of Police (NRI) Praveen Kumar Sinha holds additional charge as Chief Director, Vigilance Bureau.
While Swarandeep Singh and Harpreet Singh Mander return to their posts, the status of the driving licence scam investigation remains under scrutiny amid political friction and bureaucratic churn.
