Punjab Government Reinstates IPS Officer Umranangal After 5-Year Suspension

The Punjab government has reinstated IPS officer Paramraj Singh Umranangal, who was suspended five years ago over police firing cases related to the 2015 Guru Granth Sahib desecration protests. The action follows a Punjab and Haryana High Court order and a subsequent contempt of court petition by Umranangal.

The Punjab government on Thursday reinstated IPS officer Paramraj Singh Umranangal, who had been suspended five years ago for his alleged involvement in police firing during protests over the desecration of the Guru Granth Sahib in 2015.

According to an order from the Home Affairs and Justice Department, Umranangal's reinstatement is effective immediately.

The order follows a February 2, 2024, directive from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which had earlier quashed Umranangal's suspension.

The court's decision came after a contempt of court petition filed by Umranangal, asserting there were no grounds for the state government to prevent his resumption of duties. The court has scheduled July 15 for the next hearing.

Umranangal, who was the Inspector General of Police when suspended in 2019, was named an accused in multiple police firing cases linked to sacrilege incidents in Faridkot in 2015. The incidents led to protests resulting in two deaths and several injuries.