In a swift follow-up to the Election Commission of India’s (ECI) order suspending Tarn Taran Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr Ravjot Kaur Grewal, the Punjab Government has appointed IPS officer Surinder Lamba as the new SSP of Tarn Taran.
The appointment was approved on Saturday evening after the ECI directed immediate action in connection with the Tarn Taran byelection. An official communication issued by the Office of the Chief Electoral Officer (CEO), Punjab, to the Department of Home Affairs and Justice confirmed that the ECI had conveyed its approval for the posting of Surinder Lamba, IPS, as SSP Tarn Taran.
“ECI had conveyed the approval for posting of Surinder Lamba, IPS, as SSP Tarn Taran,” the letter stated, adding that a compliance report should be sent to the Election Commission for onward transmission. The letter was issued with the approval of the competent authority.
Earlier in the day, the Election Commission had ordered the suspension of Dr Ravjot Kaur Grewal following several complaints related to her conduct during the byelection process. Until the new posting, Amritsar Commissioner of Police Gurpreet Singh Bhullar had been given additional charge of Tarn Taran.
The action against Dr Grewal came after the Shiromani Akali Dal filed a formal complaint with the Election Commission alleging bias and seeking her removal. Acting swiftly, the ECI suspended her and asked the Punjab Government to appoint a replacement the same day.
Surinder Lamba, a senior IPS officer, will now take charge of Tarn Taran to oversee law and order during the byelection scheduled for November 11.