Political Controversy Erupts After Punjab Police Commissioner Removal
The recent dismissal of Gurpreet Singh Bhullar as the police commissioner of Amritsar by the Punjab government has stirred significant political controversy. Following his claims linking a purported Pakistan-supported terror module to protests at Jantar Mantar, questions have arisen regarding the timing of his transfer. The new appointee, Harmanbir Singh, will take over amidst ongoing investigations into the arrests of several individuals connected to the alleged terror activities. This situation has prompted political figures to speculate about the implications of Bhullar's statements and their potential impact on the Aam Aadmi Party's leadership. Stay tuned for further developments on this unfolding story.
| Aug 7, 2026, 18:29 IST
Punjab Government Dismisses Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar
The Punjab government, led by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has removed Gurpreet Singh Bhullar from his position as the police commissioner of Amritsar, sparking a political uproar regarding the timing of his transfer. Recently, Bhullar had claimed connections between a purported terror module supported by Pakistan and protests at Jantar Mantar.
According to an order issued by the Punjab Home Department on August 7, Bhullar has been replaced by Harmanbir Singh, who is currently serving as the DIG of the Border Range in Amritsar.
The directive states that Bhullar must report to the DGP office until further notice, with details of his new posting to be announced later. This transfer comes shortly after the Amritsar Commissionerate announced the arrest of nine individuals, including four minors, in connection with the alleged terror module. The police asserted that the suspects were acting on instructions from ISI handlers based abroad and were monitoring security installations.
During a briefing on August 4, Bhullar revealed that investigations indicated some of the arrested individuals had visited Jantar Mantar, allegedly scouting the area and planning to target security personnel with petrol bombs. The police also reported the recovery of three firearms, nine live cartridges, and four petrol bomb bottles. Subsequently, the Punjab government clarified that Bhullar did not state that the arrested individuals were involved in the protests at Jantar Mantar or had any links to a terrorist module.
The dismissal of Bhullar has led to political controversy, with former Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu questioning whether the police chief's comments were related to his transfer. Bittu posted on social media, suggesting that the timing of Bhullar's transfer raises significant questions. He speculated whether Bhullar's precise disclosures about the alleged conspiracy at Jantar Mantar had unsettled Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal. A BJP leader accused Bhullar's statements regarding the supposed conspiracy of causing unease within the AAP leadership.
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