The Election Commission of India (ECI) on Saturday suspended Tarn Taran Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr. Ravjot Kaur Grewal, just days before the November 11 by-election, following allegations raised by the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) that the district police were misusing their authority to influence the electoral process.

Reacting to the development, the SAD’s chief spokesperson Adv. Arshdeep Singh Kler said in a public statement that the suspension came after the party submitted evidence-backed complaints to the Election Commission. He alleged that SSP Dr. Grewal had “fought the election from the front” on behalf of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party’s candidate, Harjit Sandhu. The spokesperson accused the local police of registering false FIRs against Akali Dal sarpanches and workers, detaining them from their homes, and harassing the family of SAD candidate Bibi Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa, particularly her daughter Kanchanpreet. He further alleged that police teams used private vehicles with fake number plates and issued notices under new sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) to intimidate long-time Akali supporters.

He asserted that the Election Commission’s decision validated the party’s repeated warnings about political interference by local officials. “Any officer who acts outside the constitutional framework, frames our workers in false cases, or follows the dictates of the government will face action in court or before the Commission,” the spokesperson said, calling on officers to perform their duties impartially.

Following the suspension order, the Election Commission assigned Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar additional charge of Tarn Taran police to ensure neutrality and law and order during the final days of campaigning.

Eci tarn taran ssp suspension ravjot kaur grewal shiromani akali dal aap punjab bypoll harjit sandhu sukhwinder kaur randhawa gurpreet singh bhullar election commission police interference punjab politics sad complaint bns notices free and fair elections