Chandigarh |
In a decisive move to reform the state’s prison system, the Punjab government has suspended 25 jail officials, including senior officers, over charges of negligence, corruption, and suspected links to illegal drug and mobile phone smuggling inside jails.
According to the Punjab Jail Department, the suspended personnel include:
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3 Deputy Superintendents
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2 Assistant Superintendents
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20 other jail staff from various prisons across the state
These suspensions come after months of internal inquiries and surprise inspections that revealed disturbing patterns of:
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Drug trafficking networks operating from within prisons
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Use of mobile phones by inmates to coordinate with outside contacts
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Bribes in exchange for unauthorized privileges
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Staff members either ignoring or facilitating such illegal activities
CM Bhagwant Mann’s Strong Stand
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann emphasized that the government is committed to making Punjab drug-free and will take strict action against anyone involved in such misconduct.
“Whether it’s inside or outside the jail, no one found involved in the drug trade will be spared. The law is equal for all,” he said.
Mann also indicated that more such disciplinary actions are expected in the coming weeks as part of the government’s intensified crackdown on corruption and narcotics.
Political and Public Response
The action has drawn widespread attention:
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AAP leaders praised it as a “bold and necessary step.”
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Opposition parties called for deeper accountability and questioned how such a vast nexus went undetected for so long.
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Public reactions on social media have been largely supportive, with many demanding transparency and the public disclosure of the names of suspended officers.
The suspended officials are likely to face departmental inquiries and possible criminal charges if evidence confirms their role in illicit activities.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has signaled its intention to:
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Install advanced surveillance systems in all high-risk prisons
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Conduct background checks and retraining of prison staff
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Partner with anti-narcotics units for better prison intelligence
This latest crackdown signals the Punjab government’s clear message: zero tolerance for corruption and drug-related crime, even within the walls of its institutions.
