CBI initiates probe against Jalandhar police commissioner on corruption and misconduct charges

Chandigarh: The CBI has registered a preliminary enquiry against Jalandhar Police Commissioner Kuldeep Singh Chahal for alleged corruption and misconduct during his tenure as SSP, Chandigarh.

Officials said that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated a probe on the reference of Punjab Governor and Chandigarh Administrator Banwarilal Purohit. The 2009 batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer, who was on deputation to Chandigarh, was sent back to his original cadre, Punjab, in December last year with 10 months left to complete his three-year tenure in the UT.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, in a letter to the Governor, had expressed shock over Chahal’s premature return and handing over charge to a Haryana cadre IPS officer, saying the balance between states in running the affairs of the Union Territory of Chandigarh could deteriorate.

Purohit had reprimanded Mann and replied that he did “not ascertain the facts” before writing to him on Chahal’s return. The governor had said that the officer was sent back to his original cadre after receiving complaints of misbehaviour against him, adding that he had also conveyed his decision to remove Chahal to the Punjab chief secretary on November 28.