Amritsar CP Gurpreet Bhullar Removed After Jantar Mantar Remarks; BJP Alleges Kejriwal Role

New Delhi: Punjab's ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has transferred Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, days after he spoke about the arrest of an alleged Pakistan ISI-linked module suspected of planning a disturbance during a protest at Delhi's Jantar Mantar.

Bhullar has been directed to report to the office of the Director General of Police (DGP) until further orders. Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Border Range, Harmanbir Singh has been given the additional charge of Commissioner of Police, Amritsar.

The state government has not publicly stated the reason for Bhullar's removal.

The development has triggered a political controversy, with BJP leaders questioning the timing of the transfer and alleging that the police officer was removed after his remarks about the alleged terror plot.

BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu claimed that Bhullar had played a key role in foiling an alleged conspiracy involving petrol bombs intended to create terror at Jantar Mantar.

"He is an excellent officer and has served under every government. The Police Commissioner had stated in a press conference that some had been caught with petrol bombs. As per my information, Kejriwal had given this responsibility to go to Jantar Mantar, throw petrol bombs at the children, and create terror there. Punjab Police and Bhullar Sahab foiled the conspiracy," Bittu said.

Bittu alleged that the officer involved in the arrests was subsequently transferred and claimed that the matter would be investigated if the BJP comes to power in Punjab.

"However, being a government employee, he cannot reveal the entire story. The officer who caught the petrol bombs was immediately transferred. What was the reason behind that? This means Kejriwal wanted this to happen. We will investigate this when we come to power. Punjab will do it," he alleged.

BJP leader RP Singh also questioned Bhullar's removal, alleging that the Amritsar Police chief had arrested individuals who were allegedly trained by Pakistan's Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and were planning attacks during the July 20 protest at Jantar Mantar.

Singh claimed that the suspects were allegedly planning to carry out bomb blasts and throw petrol bombs at Parliament. He alleged that Bhullar's public remarks about the arrests did not suit the political narrative of AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal.

"...What Bhullar had done was apprehend individuals trained by the ISI who intended to create a disturbance here at Jantar Mantar on July 20, the day of the protest. They planned to carry out bomb blasts and throw petrol bombs at the Parliament. He arrested these individuals and held a press conference regarding the matter," Singh said.

He further alleged that the action against Bhullar was linked to his remarks and said that police officers should function according to established procedures rather than political considerations.

The BJP's allegations have not been independently established, and the AAP government has not announced any connection between Bhullar's transfer and the Jantar Mantar case.

The controversy comes amid heightened political exchanges in Punjab over law and order and the handling of protests.

Meanwhile, Bittu also criticised the Ludhiana Municipal Corporation over the condition of the city following the formation of a massive sinkhole after a portion of a road collapsed in Kitchlu Nagar. He questioned the utilisation of funds allocated under the Smart City project and alleged that the city's civic administration had deteriorated.

Bittu also welcomed Shiromani Akali Dal leader Sukhbir Singh Badal's meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, describing the two parties as "old partner parties" and saying that anyone could meet the Prime Minister.

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