Punjab Politics – Bittu Questions Bhullar’s Removal Over Jantar Mantar Security Claims
Punjab Politics – Amritsar Police Commissioner controversy has intensified after BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu questioned the transfer of Gurpreet Singh Bhullar and alleged that the officer had been removed after helping prevent a suspected plan to cause unrest at Jantar Mantar.
Bittu alleges link to petrol bomb case
Speaking to reporters on Friday, Bittu alleged that Bhullar’s action in a case involving petrol bombs was connected to a wider conspiracy. He further claimed, without providing publicly verified evidence, that AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal was involved in the alleged plan.
Bittu said Bhullar was an experienced police officer who had worked under successive governments. Referring to an earlier police statement, he said individuals had reportedly been detained with petrol bombs and alleged that Punjab Police had prevented a possible attempt to create panic at Jantar Mantar.
The BJP leader also questioned why the officer involved in the arrests was subsequently transferred. He said that if the BJP forms the government in Punjab, his party would examine the circumstances surrounding the case and Bhullar’s removal.
Bhullar asked to report to DGP office
The controversy follows the Punjab government’s decision to remove Bhullar from the post of Commissioner of Police, Amritsar. Deputy Inspector General of Police, Border Range, Harmanbir Singh, has been given additional charge of the Amritsar commissionerate.
According to the official order, Harmanbir Singh will continue his existing duties while also handling the responsibilities of Commissioner of Police, Amritsar. Bhullar, meanwhile, has been instructed to report to the office of the Director General of Police until further directions are issued.
The state government has not publicly stated the reason for Bhullar’s removal.
RP Singh raises similar allegations
BJP leader RP Singh also questioned the decision and linked Bhullar’s removal to arrests allegedly connected with the July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar.
Singh claimed that police had apprehended people allegedly trained by Pakistan’s Inter-Services Intelligence, or ISI, who were suspected of planning violent activities during the protest. He alleged that the suspects were carrying petrol bombs and intended to create a disturbance near Parliament.
According to Singh, Bhullar had publicly discussed the arrests, but the development allegedly conflicted with the political narrative being advanced by Kejriwal. Singh argued that police officers should be allowed to act according to established procedures rather than political considerations.
The allegations made by the BJP leaders have not been independently established, and the AAP government has not announced that Bhullar’s transfer was connected to the Jantar Mantar case.
Bittu welcomes Modi-Badal meeting
Bittu also reacted to a meeting between Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal and Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He described the interaction positively, noting the historical ties between the BJP and the Akali Dal.
He added that political leaders are free to meet the Prime Minister and suggested that such interactions should not be viewed negatively.
Ludhiana civic issues come under fire
The BJP leader also criticised the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation over the condition of roads and civic infrastructure. His comments came after a large section of a road collapsed in the Kitchlu Nagar area, leaving a major sinkhole.
Bittu questioned how funds allocated under the Smart City project had been utilised and criticised what he described as poor coordination between elected representatives and municipal officials.
He also alleged that the current MP had not held meetings with the Mayor, Municipal Commissioner, MLAs or councillors to address civic concerns. The remarks add another political dimension to the debate over infrastructure and municipal administration in Punjab.