The Punjab government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has revoked the suspension of two senior officers from the Vigilance Bureau—AIG Flying Squad Swarandeep Singh and SSP Vigilance Jalandhar Harpreet Singh Mander, both from the Punjab Police Service (PPS). The decision comes just days after their initial suspension in connection with alleged inaction in a major driving licence scam. As per the official order issued on Sunday by Additional Chief Secretary (Home), Alok Shekhar, the revocation takes immediate effect.
However, the suspension of Surinder Pal Singh Parmar, a 1997-batch IPS officer and former chief of the Vigilance Bureau, remains in effect. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has confirmed his suspension and instructed the Punjab government to issue a charge sheet by June 23, 2025. Sources indicate that the final decision regarding Parmar will follow his formal response to the charges.
The trio was initially suspended over allegations of failing to act despite credible evidence in a high-profile scam involving the illegal issuance of driving licences. The scandal reportedly included RTA officials and intermediaries accepting bribes to manipulate test results and expedite licence approvals.
Political Backlash and Allegations of Pressure Tactics
The reinstatement of the two PPS officers has triggered sharp political reactions. Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa criticized the AAP government, questioning the credibility of both the suspension and the subsequent revocation. In a post on social media platform X, he wrote:
“First the AAP government suspends senior Vigilance Bureau officers citing a fight against corruption. Now, they’re reinstated in the same roles, and the suspension period is disregarded. Both decisions can’t be right. Was the suspension a tactic to force compliance? This isn’t governance—it’s coercion.”
Background: Driving Licence Scam and Internal Probe
The original suspensions were announced on April 15, following allegations of inaction by the Vigilance Bureau despite actionable intelligence. A show-cause notice was issued to SPS Parmar, though reports suggest minimal follow-up action was taken. The government also suspected internal information leaks from within the Vigilance Bureau, which may have enabled some accused individuals to evade arrest.
Meanwhile, the Vigilance Bureau has intensified its crackdown on corruption. Last month, it conducted surprise raids at various Regional Transport Authority (RTA) offices and driving test centers across the state, leading to the arrest of several RTA officials and middlemen involved in bribery and procedural violations.
The Vigilance Bureau has also seen considerable leadership churn in recent months. Following the exits of Varinder Kumar in February and G Nageshwar Rao in March, Additional DGP (NRI) Praveen Kumar Sinha currently holds additional charge as Chief Director of the bureau.
