In a dramatic development that has sent ripples through Punjab’s political and administrative circles just days before the Ludhiana West bypoll, the state government has suspended Vigilance SSP Jagatpreet Singh. His suspension comes hours after he summoned senior Congress leader and Ludhiana West candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu for questioning, a move now being probed for its legitimacy and intent.
According to top sources in the state administration, preliminary findings suggest that the issuance of the summons may not have been above board. In fact, officials allege that Ashu himself may have orchestrated the move as a pre-poll tactic to gain public sympathy. What has further raised eyebrows is the extent of communication between Ashu and the now-suspended officer, with investigators pointing toward a long-standing personal and professional connection.
Adding weight to these suspicions, insiders in the Vigilance Bureau claim that Ashu played a behind-the-scenes role in Jagatpreet Singh’s earlier elevation to Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP). This has triggered allegations of conflict of interest and political manipulation of law enforcement channels.
One of the most startling revelations is that the summons to Ashu was reportedly issued in an unusually hasty and opaque manner—overnight, without standard approvals or procedural documentation. Bureau insiders flagged this irregularity, prompting the internal review that ultimately led to the officer’s suspension.
Sources further confirm that a secret meeting between Ashu and Jagatpreet Singh took place shortly before the bypoll was announced. Though details of their conversation remain undisclosed, the timing of this rendezvous has deepened concerns about coordination and motive.
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau has officially acknowledged the matter and stated that the circumstances under which the summons was issued are now under close scrutiny. “We are reviewing the procedural lapses and a decision on further action will be taken based on the inquiry’s outcome,” a senior vigilance official confirmed.
This episode has also opened a new front in the Ludhiana West electoral battle, where Bharat Bhushan Ashu—already under fire from the Aam Aadmi Party and BJP—is facing questions not just about governance but also about his proximity to the administrative machinery. Opposition parties have seized the opportunity to call for a wider investigation into alleged misuse of state power for political gains.
“This is a textbook case of manipulating government institutions for election optics,” a senior AAP functionary commented. “The Vigilance Bureau is not an arm of any political party, and attempts to turn it into one must be publicly exposed.”
BJP’s Jiwan Gupta, also contesting the seat, accused the Congress of playing “sympathy politics” and questioned the timing of the summons and suspension. “Why is every serious action around Ashu becoming a controversy? The people of Ludhiana deserve transparency,” he said.
Political analysts believe the controversy could alter the narrative of the Ludhiana West by-election. While Ashu may use the suspension episode to portray himself as a political victim, the allegations of behind-the-scenes meddling could backfire if voters perceive it as staged drama.
For the Congress, this development adds yet another challenge to a high-stakes bypoll that it had hoped to win convincingly. The suspension of a senior officer involved in Ashu’s case not only complicates the legal landscape but also casts a shadow on the party’s internal strategy.
With the polling date drawing closer, all eyes are now on the outcome of the Vigilance Bureau’s internal inquiry—and whether the Punjab government will order a broader probe into possible collusion between politicians and officials.
This incident is yet another example of the increasingly blurred lines between political campaigns and state institutions in Punjab, raising tough questions about accountability, credibility, and the independence of investigative agencies in the run-up to elections.