Punjab Governor blames CM Mann over Chandigarh SSP repatriation issue

CM Bhagwant Mann said he was surprised to learn that the 2009 batch IPS officer of Punjab cadre Kuldeep Singh Chahal (SSP) was repatriated to the State prematurely

The Punjab Governor Banwarilal Purohit and the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government seem to be heading for yet another tussle.

A day after Mr. Mann expressed resentment over the premature removal of the ‘Punjab cadre’ IPS officer from the post of the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Chandigarh, Mr. Purohit on Wednesday, reacted sharply blaming Mr. Mann for unnecessarily painting the issue as “Punjab versus Haryana”.

In the letter to the Governor, Mr. Mann stated that the post of SSP-Chandigarh had traditionally been occupied by a Punjab cadre IPS officer. Likewise, he said that an IAS officer of the Haryana cadre had been appointed as the Deputy Commissioner of the UT. Mr. Mann said he was surprised to learn that the 2009 batch IPS officer of Punjab cadre Kuldeep Singh Chahal (SSP) was repatriated to Punjab prematurely.

He added that much to the dismay of the State, the charge of the SSP, Chandigarh, had been given to a Haryana cadre IPS officer. He said that this move was unwanted and undesirable as it would disturb the balance among the States in running the affairs of Chandigarh. Mr. Mann wrote that if due to some reason SSP Kuldeep Singh Chahal was to be repatriated, then a panel of suitable IPS officers should have been sought from Punjab well in advance.

Replying to Mr. Mann, the Governor in his letter, said that the contents of the (Mr. Mann’s) letter demonstrated that due care had not been taken to ascertain the facts while writing the said letter and dispatching it.

“Had that care been taken, then such a letter could not have been written at, in the first place and it must be noted,” wrote Mr. Purohit, adding that “..when serious inputs started coming about the misconduct of Mr. Chahal (SSP Chandigarh), I ascertained their authenticity from reliable sources, after which, I communicated telephonically with Punjab Chief Secretary on November 28, 2022, my decision to remove Mr. Chahal. At the same time I advised him to send a panel of efficient IPS officers for the post of SSP,’ wrote Mr. Purohit.

Mr. Purohit added that the Chandigarh Director-General of Police Praveer Ranjan met the Punjab Chief Secretary on November 30, and narrated the details of the case. He also requested for a panel to be sent by the Punjab government. He said that in fact, the Punjab Chief Secretary met him on November 30 and he was also advised to send a panel of IPS officers as early as possible.