‘Promised’ promotion for cracking high-profile cases, Mansa cops get transfer instead

Members of a team of Criminal Investigation Agency (CIA) officials in Mansa, instrumental in cracking a high profile case of kidnapping, were recently ignored promotions.

Also, the CIA in-charge was transferred earlier this week.

In October this year, Mansa SSP Mukhwinder Singh Bhullar had held a press conference where he hailed CIA cops for cracking the case and even announced that they will get promotions for the “commendable job”. Among those promoted are ASI Sarbjit Singh (reader to Mansa SSP), head constable Sukhchain Singh (gunman to SP Narinderpal Singh) and head constables Raghvir Singh and Jagtar Singh (attached with IG Bathinda)

Two months on, the same cops were taken aback to know that none of them had made it to the list while one of them had even been transferred. Two more cops were promoted who were not from the CIA team.

CIA OFFICIAL ‘UPSET’ OVER DENIED PROMOTION

Hindustan Times has learnt that CIA in-charge Gamdoor Singh has been transferred to Fazilka after he allegedly raised the issue of promotion, which apparently didn’t go down well with the senior cops.

Upset over being denied the promotion, another cop, assistant sub-inspector Sukhjit Singh, posted in the CIA staff, has since gone on leave and had even approached BK Uppal (ADGP, human resource development) in this regard.

Both these officers-- Gamdoor Singh and Sukhjit Singh-- from CIA staff refused to speak on this issue.

“Except Parshotam Singh, those who have been promoted do not have their names in the case file. We have been ignored the promotions and raising our voice might invite trouble for us. It is very disappointing that despite being committed to our roles, our share of prize has been gifted to such people who are close to power and authority,” said a member of the CIA team, who wished to stay anonymous.

There was a unanimous disappointment among the lower rung team members of the CIA over this issue.

MANSA SSP TAKES A U-TURN

When contacted, Mansa SSP Mukhwinder Singh said, “All those officers who have been promoted were involved in the abduction case.

IG Asthana was involved in this operation. We cannot reveal the operational details which invites security threat to our men.”

When asked as why the CIA team was ignored for the promotion despite his promise of recommendation announced earlier in October, the SSP said that seven names which were sent for recommendation have been promoted.

“I cannot tell you specific details of every officer as it involves undercover cops and it might be a risk to security of our boys.”

IG SK Asthana said that he was unaware of the issue and that he will get back after receiving the promotion orders. “I am unwell and will need a day to look into the details of the promotion orders.”

THE CASE

In August this year, one 55-year-old Chiman Lal was abducted while he was returning home in the evening. After staying in captivity for around 15 days, Chiman Lal was released after a ransom of Rs 1 crore was allegedly paid by the family. The ransom money was paid in the presence of senior officers, including IG SK Asthana and SSP Mukhwinder Singh, in a bag fitted with a GPS monitor that the abductors subsequently removed. As senior police officials allegedly helped the family to pay the ransom and abductors were still at large, the cops drew severe criticism from every quarter. Later in October, an SIT led by SP (detective) Narinder Pal Singh and CIA staff, arrested Kalyan Singh Grewal, son of SGPC member Sukhchain Singh and one of his accomplices. “I will recommend the names of CIA officials including its in-charge inspector Gamdoor Singh and his team for the exemplary work to crack this case,” SSP Mukhwinder Singh had then said.