Tarn Taran bypoll row: EC acts after SAD complaint, suspends SSP Ravjot Grewal over allegations of power misuse

PTC Web Desk:  The Election Commission of India (ECI) has ordered the immediate suspension of Tarn Taran Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr Ravjot Kaur Grewal following allegations of misuse of official machinery during the ongoing Tarn Taran byelection.

According to official sources, the decision was taken after the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) delegation, led by Advocate Arshdeep Singh Kler from the party’s legal wing, met Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) of Punjab and submitted a formal complaint against SSP Grewal. The delegation alleged that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government was using the state police to influence the by-election process.

In their memorandum, the SAD leaders claimed that several party workers and leaders from Tarn Taran had been “forcibly detained” by police officials from various districts ahead of the polls. They also alleged that the official machinery was being misused to target SAD candidates and their families.

Advocate Arshdeep Singh Kler further alleged that surveillance activities were being carried out on SAD candidate Principal Sukhwinder Kaur and her daughter, Kanchanpreet Kaur. He claimed that two plainclothes policemen were recently caught following Kanchanpreet Kaur and later identified themselves as members of the CIA (Crime Investigation Agency).

Following the meeting, the Chief Electoral Officer assured the delegation that the matter would be investigated promptly. Within hours of the complaint, the Election Commission issued directions to suspend SSP Dr Ravjot Kaur Grewal with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, the commission has also appointed Amritsar Commissioner of Police, Gurpreet Singh Bhullar (IPS), as the officer holding additional charge of SSP, Tarn Taran, until further orders.