Punjab Police Officers Suspended Over Misleading Report on FBI-Wanted Druglord
In a significant development, two Punjab Police officers have been suspended for submitting a "misleading" report that facilitated the release of an impounded passport belonging to Canada-based Indian-origin druglord Shehnaz Singh, also known as Shawn Bhinder, who is wanted by the FBI. The officers, identified as Inspector Prabhjit Singh, in charge of the Tarn Taran Crime Investigation Agency (CIA), and ASI Lakhwinder Singh, were suspended on April 3 and now face a departmental probe. Authorities are actively investigating whether Bhinder has fled abroad following this incident.
Details of the Suspension and Investigation
Tarn Taran Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Surendra Lamba confirmed the suspensions, stating that the officers' actions involved "major negligence and, apparently, connivance." He emphasized that the investigation is ongoing, with the role of other officials also under examination. When questioned about Bhinder's potential escape from the country, Lamba noted, "That is part of the investigation. FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Officer) can say. We are trying to find out… The CIA in charge should have understood that there was a possibility of him fleeing the country in this high-stakes case."
Chronology of Events Leading to Passport Release
The sequence of events began with Bhinder's arrest in Ludhiana on March 10, 2025, under the Arms Act of 2024. His passport was subsequently impounded by the Regional Passport Office (RPO) in Amritsar on April 11, 2024, following a request from Tarn Taran police. After being granted bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on October 1, 2025, a query regarding the issuance of a no-objection certificate (NOC) for the release of his passport was received by the Tarn Taran SSP office on December 29.
Inspector Prabhjit Singh, to whom the matter was assigned, delegated it to ASI Lakhwinder Singh, who submitted a report recommending the issuance of an NOC for passport release. Prabhjit then obtained a legal opinion and prepared what has been described as a misleading report. This report, along with the NOC, was forwarded directly to the Amritsar RPO without adhering to proper channels. Subsequently, another communication was sent by Prabhjit to the Tarn Taran Sadar SHO, which was routed through DSP Goindwal to the District Saanjh office. Based on Goindwal's report, the DSP (HQ) again forwarded a recommendation to the Amritsar RPO for issuing the NOC.
Background on Shehnaz Singh (Shawn Bhinder)
Shehnaz Singh, a native of Mandiala village in Batala, resides in Brampton, Canada, and is a key figure in a global narcotics syndicate. He is wanted by the FBI in connection with one of the largest drug seizures in the USA on February 26, 2025, where federal officers arrested six of his associates and seized 391 kg of methamphetamine, 109 kg of cocaine, four sophisticated weapons, and vehicles. Following this crackdown, Bhinder evaded the FBI and clandestinely entered India, where Punjab Police tracked and arrested him in Ludhiana. Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav hailed the arrest as a "major breakthrough" in the anti-drugs campaign 'Yudh Nashian Virudh', highlighting Bhinder's involvement in smuggling cocaine from Colombia into the USA and Canada.
Implications and Ongoing Probe
The suspension of the two officers underscores serious lapses in procedural compliance within the police force, raising concerns about potential internal collusion. The investigation aims to determine the extent of negligence and whether Bhinder exploited these lapses to flee the country. This case highlights the challenges in combating international drug trafficking and the critical need for vigilance in law enforcement operations.
