Punjab Government on Thursday suspended five police officers, including the then Ludhiana DIG Parmraj Singh Umranangal, already under suspension, in an infamous drug racket case registered by the Special Task Force (STF).
The orders, issued by the state Home Department in this regard, stated that the matter pertains to an FIR, dated November 6, 2020, filed under sections 21, 23, 25, 27 A, 29-61-85 of the NDPS Act, sections 25, 24, 29 of the Arms Act and sections 420, 471, 472 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) at STF Police Station, Mohali Phase IV, pertaining to seizure of illegal factory at Khanna.
Those suspended included IPS officer Parmraj Singh Umranangal — already under susopension in another case, PPS officer Varinderjit Singh Thind — posted as Assistant Commandant 4th IRB Pathankot, Sewa Singh Malli — SP Detective at Faridkot, Parminder Singh Bath — Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), and Karansher Singh — DSP (Detective) Faridkot.
The officers have been suspended “with immediate effect” after finding their involvement in the said drug case. In a communication, issued by the State Home Affairs and Justice Department to the state Director General of Police (DGP), it has asked to initiate a departmental inquiry against the officers by preparing a chargesheet against them and send the same to the Government.
Besides, the STF has also been asked to conclude the investigation in the matter at the earliest and submit a report.
Apart from that, citing All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, the Home Department has asked the DGP to prepare a detailed report against IPS officer Paramraj Singh Umranangal “in English” so that the matter could be taken up with the Central Government.
The matter pertains to an arrest of one Gurdeep Singh Rano, who was the former sarpanch of Rano village in Ludhiana district’s Payal area, in November 2020.
STF’s Ludhiana unit had nabbed Rano along with three others with 5.39 kg heroin worth Rs 27 crore, three illegal weapons with live cartridges, Rs 21 lakh drug money and eight high-end cars.
The STF had claimed that these smugglers are a part of an international organized drug network being operated from Australia.
STF officials maintained that Rano was the main smuggler, who owned all the high-end cars and made a lot of property by smuggling drugs.
The accused were said to be a part of a high-level international organized drug network being run by Tanveer Singh Bedi of Barnala settled in Australia. Tanveer is also wanted by the STF Border Range in 197.8 kg heroin seizure of January 29, 2020.
Rano was said to be a high profile person who has good relations with several politicians too.
He had hired some bouncers too, and used to smuggle drugs in the high-end cars as the police did not stop these vehicles at the check posts.