Punjab Transfers Amritsar Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar Amid Row Over Jantar Mantar Remarks

The transfer of Amritsar Police Commissioner Gurpreet Singh Bhullar, just days after the force announced a significant breakthrough in an alleged Pakistan-backed terror case, has sparked political debate and raised questions about the timing of the decision.

Earlier this month, the Amritsar police said they had arrested nine people, including four juveniles, and seized three pistols, nine live rounds and four petrol bombs. According to the police, the suspects were allegedly working under the direction of Pakistan-based handlers linked to the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI) and had been conducting reconnaissance of sensitive locations.

The case gained further attention after Bhullar, during a press briefing on August 4, claimed that the investigation had revealed links between some of the accused and recent protests at Jantar Mantar in Delhi. He alleged that a few suspects had visited the site, surveyed the area and planned to attack protesters using petrol bombs.

The Punjab government later issued a clarification, stressing that Bhullar had not claimed the accused were participants in the protests or that demonstrators were connected to the alleged terror network. Officials maintained that selectively edited clips of the police officer's statement had created a misleading impression.

Bhullar's transfer shortly afterwards has fuelled speculation that the controversy surrounding his remarks may have influenced the decision, although the government has not officially confirmed any such link.

The development has also intensified the political battle in Punjab. Opposition leaders have questioned the timing of the transfer, while former Union minister Ravneet Singh Bittu alleged that Bhullar's statements may have embarrassed the ruling government. The Aam Aadmi Party has not commented on those allegations.