Punjab’s ‘outstanding’ DGP is a DIG at Centre
Director general of police (DGP) Sumedh Singh Saini, who was appointed Punjab police chief by the state government on the basis of his “outstanding” record, is empanelled only as a deputy inspector general of police (DIG) at the Centre.
Director general of police (DGP) Sumedh Singh Saini, who was appointed Punjab police chief by the state government on the basis of his “outstanding” record, is empanelled only as a deputy inspector general of police (DIG) at the Centre.
The 1982-batch IPS (Indian Police Service) officer is also yet to receive the President’s police medal for meritorious services or the President’s police medal for distinguished services. Neither the current Shiromani Akali Dal-Bharatiya Janata Party government nor the previous one has recommended his name for the awards.
When asked why Saini was still a DIG on central empanelment and why his name was never recommended for these medals, Punjab principal secretary, home and justice, DS Bains, who submitted the affidavit in the Punjab and Haryana high court in Saini’s defence, said, “It’s immaterial. Saini is an officer of high integrity and honesty. It does not make a difference if he has not been empanelled as IG or above. Many a times, even not-so-deserving police officers get meritorious and distinguished services medals.”
On why Saini was promoted as ADGP (and later as DGP) and the departmental promotional committee report in his case not kept sealed even though a criminal case was still pending against him in the Delhi trial court, Bains said the decision was first taken by then chief secretary Ramesh Inder Singh, then home secretary Sudhir Mittal and later by SC Agrawal, who succeeded Ramesh Inder Singh.
In 2007, charges were framed against Saini and others in the 1994 Ludhiana ‘abduction and killing’ case under section 120-B (criminal conspiracy), 364 (kidnapping or abduction in order to murder) and 342 (wrongful confinement) and 343 (wrongful confinement for more than three days) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).
Voices For Freedom, an NGO (non-governmental organisation), had filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana high court earlier this year, challenging Saini’s appointment as DGP in view of the pending criminal case. The President’s police medals are conferred on members of police forces, central police and security organisations in consideration of meritorious and distinguished services. These medals are awarded to police officers who have performed services of conspicuous merit and shown utmost devotion to duty. The awardees are chosen after a thorough scrutiny at the state level and then at the central level by a senior officers’ committee.
Saini received the police medal for gallantry in 1987, awarded for a specific act of bravery, and Parakram Padak, awarded if an officer sustains a grievous injury on duty. In the affidavit, the Punjab government defended Saini’s appointment, claiming that “he has unimpeachable integrity, vast experience and an outstanding record.”
The government also claimed in the affidavit that annual confidential reports (ACRs) of Saini were better than those of his seniors and batch-mates. Records show that while DGP Rajan Gupta received 15 ‘outstanding’ ACRs, DGP Suresh Arora had 18 and Saini 14. The rest of the ACRs were non-initiation certificates.
The affidavit also says that DGP Kaushik may not have been able to control the situation effectively that arose after the Chandigarh court issued warrants of execution against Balwant Singh Rajoana, who is on death row in the former chief minister Beant Singh’s assassination case. Incidentally, Kaushik was appointed DGP by the SAD-BJP government during its previous tenure.
Empanelled officers- Of the six Punjab-cadre IPS officers who are Sumedh Singh Saini’s batch-mates or seniors, 1975-batch officers Anil Kaushik — whom the SAD-BJP government dislodged to pave the way for Saini’s appointment as DGP — and Rajan Gupta are both empanelled as DGPs at the Centre.
- From Saini’s batch, Suresh Arora, Sanjiv Gupta and Rajinder Singh are empanelled as IGs at the Centre. Arora and Gupta have also been empanelled as joint secretaries at the Centre, while the proceedings are on for their empanelment as ADGPs.
- Saini missed out on the DGP’s commendation certificate, which was conferred upon his batch-mates by former Punjab DGP PS Gill as the former was then posted as the Punjab Vigilance Bureau chief.