CM issued orders to impose fines and take departmental action against these officials

CHANDIGARH: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has ordered the personnel department to take strict action against former DGP S Chattopadhyaya, then DIG of Ferozepur range Inderbir Singh and then SSP of Ferozepur Harmandeep Singh Hans in the case of lapse in security of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. 

The Chief Minister issued orders to impose fines and take departmental action against these officials. This action was taken on the basis of the report of the inquiry committee formed by the Supreme Court and headed by retired judge Indu Malhotra. These officials will be asked to submit their replies, official sources said.

The State Government on Monday (March 20) issued notice to then ADGP Law and Order Naresh Arora, then ADGP Cyber Crime G Nageshwar Rao, then IGP Patiala Range Mukhwinder Singh, then IG Counter Intelligence Rakesh Agarwal, then DIG Faridkot Surjit Singh and then Moga SSP Charanjit Singh. 

In the Notice, the officers have been asked that why disciplinary action should not be taken against them as recommended by the inquiry committee. 

Notably, An inquiry committee was formed on the directions of the Supreme Court. In this regard, Chief Secretary Vijay Kumar Janjua said that officials will be given an opportunity to present their views and appropriate action will be taken only after listening to them.

Recently, In a major revelation in connection with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi Security Lapse Case, in the report of the inquiry committee headed by retired Justice Indu Malhotra, it has been disclosed that the security convoy (carcade) deployed by the state government police for the protection of the Prime Minister did not follow the security rules, instead the majority of private taxis were used in the convoy. The information was received by media sources. 

What's the whole matter?
 
On January 5, 2022, Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on his way to Ferozepur for an election rally. He was stopped for 20 minutes on a flyover about 30 km from Hussainiwala due to a blockade by protesting farmers. 

This incident had raised questions on the security arrangements of the state government for PM. The Opposition has accused the then Congress-led Punjab government of a murderous conspiracy against the Prime Minister. The Centre had criticised Punjab police for failing to prepare a contingency route for the PM's visit, in line with protocol and questions were raised over the events that led to the convoy getting stuck on that flyover.

The Supreme Court then appointed a committee to find out if there was any criminal conspiracy in the incident and also probe the role of the Punjab police. According to officials associated with the probe, the statements of all witnesses - Special Protection Group (SPG) personnel, Punjab Police personnel and also bystanders were recorded. Sources said that the committee had also examined videos showing PM Modi sitting in the car and those of the protesters blocking the road ahead.