Chandigarh, November 9 — The Election Commission has directed the Punjab Director General of Police to review alleged wrongful FIRs filed during the Model Code of Conduct period in Tarn Taran, just days before the November 11 Assembly bypoll. The move follows the suspension of Tarn Taran SSP Ravjot Kaur Grewal on Saturday over complaints of political bias.
In a letter to the DGP, Punjab Chief Electoral Officer said the Commission took cognisance of serious lapses in impartial conduct during the MCC period. “The report submitted by the police observer to the Election Commission of India highlighted coordinated and concerted actions by the state police, not only in Tarn Taran but also in adjoining districts such as Amritsar, Batala, and Moga, raising serious concerns about impartiality,” the letter stated.
The CEO said the ECI had instructed that a senior officer, not below the rank of Additional DGP, review all allegedly wrongful cases and arrests during the code period and take appropriate legal action within 36 hours. A compliance report has been sought for submission to the Commission.
Polling for the Tarn Taran by-election will take place on November 11 from 7 am to 6 pm, with counting scheduled for November 14. The seat fell vacant following the death of AAP MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal in June.
