In one of the largest actions against prison staff in recent memory, the Punjab government on Friday suspended 25 jail officials, including three Deputy Superintendents and two Assistant Superintendents, for alleged involvement in corruption and drug smuggling operations inside state prisons.
The crackdown, which officials described as a long-overdue move, is part of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s larger drive to clean up the state’s law enforcement and correctional institutions, long plagued by accusations of complicity with criminal networks.
A System Under Scrutiny
For years, Punjab’s jails have faced allegations of being breeding grounds for organized crime, especially drug smuggling. Investigative reports and police raids have revealed how gang leaders and drug traffickers continued to run illegal operations from inside prison walls, often with the tacit support of corrupt officials.
The government’s spokesperson confirmed that the latest suspensions were the outcome of a detailed internal inquiry aimed at identifying officials who allegedly facilitated illegal activities within prisons. While the names of the suspended personnel have not been publicly disclosed, sources indicate that several of them were posted at high-risk jails with a history of drug-related cases.
Wider Clean-up Across Police and Jail Departments
This action follows a series of recent suspensions and dismissals within the police and prison systems. Earlier this year, 52 police personnel, including constables, sub-inspectors, and inspectors, were sacked for misconduct and corruption. Additionally, senior police officials, including a former Vigilance DGP and several SSPs, have faced departmental action.
The Mann government’s drive appears to be a continuation of its February 13, 2025 directive, which mandated strict action against officials found guilty of serious misconduct, especially those enabling drug trafficking and organized crime.
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Breaking the Drug Nexus in Prisons
The state’s jails have often been linked to the larger drug trade that has afflicted Punjab for over a decade. Multiple investigations have shown that drug kingpins, even while incarcerated, have used smuggled mobile phones and inside contacts to continue managing operations.
In a related move earlier this week, Punjab Police transferred a high-profile drug kingpin to a jail in Dibrugarh, Assam — far from his home turf — in an attempt to dismantle his network and sever his connections with local prison officials and gang members.
According to government sources, more transfers and dismissals are expected in the coming weeks as the state intensifies its efforts to restore discipline and integrity within its jails.
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Political Reactions and Public Response
The crackdown has drawn mixed reactions from political circles. While opposition leaders cautiously welcomed the move, they criticized the government for taking too long to act. “This should have happened much earlier. The drug problem in Punjab’s jails is not new,” said a senior Congress leader.
On social media, citizens expressed both relief and skepticism. While many praised the administration’s decisive action, others questioned whether suspensions alone would be enough to address the deep-rooted issues of corruption and political patronage.
Civil rights groups have called for independent judicial oversight of prison reforms and have urged the government to publish detailed findings from its inquiries.