Punjab byelections 2024: EC removes Dera Baba Nanak DSP after jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria's 'threat' to voters

PTC Web Desk: The Election Commission (EC) has dismissed Dera Baba Nanak DSP Jasbir Singh following accusations that jailed gangster Jaggu Bhagwanpuria threatened voters in Punjab’s Dera Baba Nanak byelections. The EC directed the Punjab Government to submit a panel of three candidates for Jasbir Singh's replacement, citing inadequate action on voter intimidation claims.

The Election Commission has also alerted the Haryana Jail Department, requesting heightened surveillance on Jaggu Bhagwanpuria and an investigation into possible unauthorised communication devices within the Kurukshetra jail. Immediate corrective measures were ordered to prevent further breaches.

On Friday, Gurdaspur MP and husband of Congress candidate Jatinder Kaur Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa accused Jaggu Bhagwanpuria of threatening voters via video calls, warning them against supporting the Congress. He accused the gangster’s mother of facilitating these calls during jail visits.

MP Randhawa alleged that despite reporting these incidents to the local police, no decisive action was taken. 

Randhawa, who earlier served as Dera Baba Nanak’s MLA before moving to Parliament, said a mobile phone was recently discovered in Bhagwanpuria’s possession. He also questioned the security measures in place that allowed such communication, stressing the urgent need for stringent oversight.