Election Commission Takes Decisive Action Days Before Crucial Bypoll
In a significant development just three days before the crucial November 11 Assembly bypoll, the Election Commission suspended Tarn Taran SSP Ravjot Kaur Grewal from her position. The suspension order came on Saturday, November 9, 2025, creating political ripples across Punjab.
Immediate Replacement and Political Reactions
The Election Commission swiftly appointed IPS officer Surinder Lamba as the new SSP of Tarn Taran after clearing his appointment. Lamba was previously serving as AIG (Personnel-1) at Police Headquarters in Chandigarh. Earlier in the day, the Commission had assigned Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar the additional charge of Tarn Taran SSP.
The ruling AAP questioned the EC's move, with party leader Baltej Pannu claiming the action was taken without any "concrete complaint." Pannu asserted that the opposition had become "unnerved by the immense support for the AAP in the bypoll."
Complaint That Triggered the Suspension
Though the Election Commission did not specify reasons for Grewal's suspension, the action came shortly after SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal lodged a formal complaint with the Punjab Chief Electoral Officer. The Shiromani Akali Dal leader had alleged that the IPS officer was misusing police authority to file "false" FIRs against party leaders and workers to hinder their campaign for the Tarn Taran bypoll.
Badal welcomed the Election Commission's decision, stating that the ruling party's "gambit to influence the bypoll by misusing" the police had been effectively thwarted. Meanwhile, Congress leader Pargat Singh expressed that "this action will boost morale of workers and other parties participating in the elections."
Ravjot Kaur Grewal had taken charge as Tarn Taran SSP only in September, making her suspension particularly notable given the brief tenure. The timing of this administrative shakeup, occurring just 72 hours before voting, adds considerable significance to the already closely watched bypoll contest.
