After a prolonged legal battle spanning nearly five years, Punjab Police’s Inspector General (IGP) Paramraj Singh Umranangal has been reinstated by Punjab Government on Thursday. The decision comes in compliance with a direct order from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which mandated his return to duty within a strict 15-day timeframe, marking a pivotal moment in the ongoing judicial saga.
Despite his reinstatement, IGP Umranangal he has not yet been assigned a posting and will report directly to the Director General of Police (DGP). The development follows extensive litigation and persistent efforts by Umranangal to challenge his suspension, reflecting a significant legal victory that underscoring the judiciary’s commitment to procedural justice and due process.
The High Court had initially ordered his reinstatement five months ago in February, but the directive was not implemented, prompting Umranangal to seek legal recourse again, by filing contempt petition.
The High Court, during a recent hearing, criticized the State Government and the police for their non-compliance and mandated the reinstatement within 15 days, while fixing July 15 as the next date of hearing in the matter.
Going into background of the matter, IGP Umranangal was suspended in 2019 following his arrest by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura police firing incidents. These incidents occurred during protests against sacrilege incidents in 2015, during the SAD-BJP Government. His suspension was enacted by the Punjab Home Department after his arrest and subsequent judicial custody.
Additionally, Umranangal was implicated in a 29-year-old fake encounter case from Kala Afghana village in Gurdaspur district. In October 2023, a case was registered against him and two other police officers under multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), including charges of conspiracy, forgery, and tampering with evidence. This case is also under investigation by an SIT and is being heard in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
On July 6, the Punjab and Haryana High Court reiterated that the Punjab Government had no grounds for preventing IGP Umranangal from resuming his duties. The court had ordered the state to take action by July 15. These directives came in response to a contempt petition filed by Umranangal, highlighting the non-compliance of the February order that revoked his suspension.
“The record of the case shows that the arguments of the State have not found favour even with the Supreme Court. Therefore, there is absolutely no ground for not permitting the petitioner to join his duties anymore,” the High Court had noted. The court had warned of coercive measures against the Punjab Government for its default but granted a short extension to fulfill the necessary actions, making it clear that no further adjournments would be entertained.
