The Punjab government has reinstated a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer and posted him as the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for Ropar district, nearly two months after he was suspended for alleged failure to act against gangsters. This move is part of a larger reshuffle affecting 22 IPS officers across the state.
From Suspension to Reinstatement
Maninder Singh, a 2019-batch IPS officer, was suspended from his position as SSP of Amritsar Rural on November 15, 2025. The action came immediately after the results of the Tarn Taran by-election were declared. The state government had cited "dereliction of duty" and a failure to take effective action against gangsters and organized crime in the Amritsar Rural district as the primary grounds for his suspension.
However, in a significant reversal, the government reinstated Singh on Saturday and assigned him to lead the Ropar police district. A senior police officer indicated that the fresh posting as an SSP suggests the initial allegations against him may not have held up. Reports at the time of his suspension had noted that his track record in Amritsar Rural regarding encounters with gangsters was actually considered fairly good.
The state government has not provided any detailed public explanation for withdrawing the suspension order.
Major Police Reshuffle Across Punjab
The reinstatement and posting of Maninder Singh were part of a comprehensive list of transfers and postings issued for 22 IPS officers. Key appointments include new SSPs for the districts of Ropar, Bathinda, and Khanna.
In another notable move, former Tarn Taran SSP Ravjot Kaur Grewal, who was also recently reinstated, has been transferred to the Punjab Vigilance Bureau. Grewal was suspended by the Election Commission of India ahead of the Tarn Taran by-poll following complaints from the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and an adverse report from an EC-appointed Police Observer.
The reshuffle also involved several promotions and adjustments due to officers moving up the ranks. The changes are as follows:
- Jyoti Yadav, previously SSP Khanna, is now the SSP Bathinda, replacing Amneet Kaundal.
- Amneet Kaundal has been promoted and posted as DIG Personnel and DIG Social Media in Chandigarh.
- Darpan Ahluwalia, who was Staff Officer to the DGP of Punjab, takes over as the new SSP of Khanna.
- Gulneet Singh Khurana, the outgoing SSP Ropar, moves to Chandigarh as DIG Counter Intelligence.
- Rupinder Singh, DCP Ludhiana, has been promoted to Additional Commissioner of Police in Ludhiana.
Promotions and Other Key Transfers
The list of promotions and transfers is extensive, reflecting a significant administrative overhaul within the Punjab Police. Other important changes include:
- Naresh Sharma appointed as Special DGP PHRC.
- A S Rai given charge of Special DGP Traffic and Road Safety and Special DGP Public Grievances Division.
- Kaustabh Sharma posted as ADGP Human Rights.
- Jagadari Nilambri Vijay appointed as IG ANTF and IG Faridkot Range.
- Rajpal Singh becomes IGP Crime and IGP PAP-2.
- Snehdeep Sharma posted as DIG ANTF and DIG Ferozepur Range.
- Sandeep Goel promoted to DIG Border Range from SP.
Additional transfers include Jasdev Singh (DIG Security Punjab Lok Bhawan), Sandeep Kumar Garg (DIG Intelligence), Dhruv Dahiya (DIG Internal Security), Akhil Chaudhary (DIG ANTF), Gurpreet Singh (DIG Commando), Sarabjit Singh (DIG Crime, BOI), Harpreet Singh Jaggi (DIG EOW), and Rishab Bhola (Staff Officer to DGP).
This wide-ranging reshuffle indicates the Punjab government's intent to reposition its senior police leadership, addressing both recent controversies and routine administrative requirements.
