In a move raising eyebrows across the political spectrum, the Punjab Government has reinstated two senior Vigilance Bureau officers — AIG Flying Squad Swarnadeep Singh and Jalandhar Vigilance SSP Harpreet Singh — just 23 days after suspending them in connection with the high-profile driving licence scam. Both officers have been restored to the same posts they were removed from on April 25.

The suspension had followed multiple complaints received on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s anti-corruption helpline, alleging widespread bribery and irregularities in the issuance of driving licences across several Regional Transport Authority (RTA) offices. A state-wide crackdown on April 7 led to raids at RTA offices and driving test centres, resulting in 24 arrests, 16 FIRs, and seizure of over Rs 40,900 in illegal collections.

However, the latest development has sparked political uproar. Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia took to social media to slam the AAP-led Government. “Another shameless U-turn by the AAP government. Officers deemed corrupt just 24 days ago are suddenly clean again?” he wrote. Majithia alleged that the suspensions were politically motivated and that the reinstatements suggest a behind-the-scenes compromise. He also demanded that Vigilance Bureau Chief SPS Parmar — the first to be suspended in the case — be reinstated as well.

Adding fuel to the controversy, sources confirmed that Parmar’s suspension has now received approval from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. Parmar, a 1997-batch IPS officer, was served a show-cause notice for failing to act against senior transport officials even after credible evidence had surfaced. While one such officer, Ramanpreet Singh Dhillon, was arrested, others — including RTOs Pradeep Singh Dhillon (Mohali) and Ravinder Kumar Bansal (SBS Nagar) — remain absconding.

Leader of Opposition and Congress MLA Partap Singh Bajwa questioned the contradictory decisions. “The government suspended these officers claiming a crackdown on corruption. Now, without even counting their suspension period or citing clear reasons, they’re back on the same posts. Both decisions can’t be right,” he said, calling the episode a sign of intimidation, not governance.

As per officials, the government acted against Parmar citing internal intelligence that sensitive case details were possibly being leaked from within the Vigilance Bureau, potentially allowing accused officials to escape. The inaction, even after evidence was available, had raised serious concerns about internal sabotage.

While investigations into the scam are still ongoing, the swift reinstatement of two suspended officers, even as the bureau’s former chief remains under a cloud, has triggered serious questions about the intent and transparency of the Mann government’s anti-corruption crusade.

AAP Stands Firm on Transparency, Fair Process

In response to political criticism over the reinstatement of two Vigilance Bureau officers suspended in the driving licence scam, the ruling Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday clarified that the decision was taken following due process and interim findings of the investigation.

“The AAP government remains committed to transparency, fairness, and zero tolerance towards corruption. Immediate action was taken as soon as irregularities came to light. At the same time, we believe in upholding justice — officers found not directly involved or against whom no conclusive evidence has emerged were reinstated accordingly,” said AAP spokesperson Neel Garg.

He added that investigations are still ongoing and that reinstatement does not mean exoneration. “This is not politics, but procedural justice. The opposition is trying to twist facts to suit their narrative. The Mann government will continue to act against corruption without fear or favour,” he asserted.