The Punjab government has ordered the suspension of 26 Jail Department officials and staff members over negligence and failure to perform their duties.
Jail Minister Laljit Singh Bhullar confirmed that the suspensions were carried out under the Punjab Civil Services (Punishment and Appeal) Rules, 1970, citing dereliction of duty and carelessness. He stressed that any form of misconduct—whether it be illegal activities, indiscipline, absenteeism, or collusion with inmates—will not be tolerated in the state’s prisons.
Among the senior officials suspended are Iqbal Singh Brar (Superintendent, District Jail, Mansa), Maninder Pal Cheema (Deputy Superintendent, Central Jail, Ludhiana), Anil Bhandari (Deputy Superintendent, Borstal Jail, Ludhiana), Sandeep Brar (Deputy Superintendent, Central Jail, Ludhiana), and Yadvinder Singh (Assistant Superintendent, Central Jail, Ferozepur).
Issuing a stern warning, the Minister urged all Jail Department personnel to perform their duties with integrity, commitment, and adherence to official protocols.
It’s worth noting that in 2023, a controversy arose when a jailed gangster, Lawrence Bishnoi, gave a televised interview while in custody. A Punjab Police DSP was later dismissed after a Special Investigation Team (SIT) found he had facilitated the interview while Bishnoi was held at the CIA unit in Kharar.