Harmandeep Singh Hans Appointed Mohali SSP Amid PM Modi Security Lapse Probe
Harmandeep Singh Hans, a 2015-batch IPS officer, was appointed Mohali’s new Senior Superintendent of Police on May 14, 2025, despite being under investigation for his role in a security breach during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s 2022 Punjab visit.
A Controversial Appointment
IPS officer Harmandeep Singh Hans, a 2015-batch officer, was appointed Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) for Mohali, Punjab, despite an ongoing investigation into his role in a major security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s January 2022 visit to Ferozepur. The decision, announced by the Punjab government, has sparked debate due to Hans’s indictment by a Supreme Court-appointed committee for failing to ensure adequate security arrangements, which left the PM’s convoy stranded on a flyover. The appointment raises questions about accountability in Punjab’s administrative framework.
The 2022 Security Breach
The security lapse occurred on January 5, 2022, when PM Modi’s convoy was stalled for 20 minutes on a flyover in Ferozepur due to a roadblock by protesters. Hans, then SSP of Ferozepur, was held responsible by a panel led by former Supreme Court judge Justice Indu Malhotra for failing to deploy adequate forces and maintain law and order. The committee’s report, submitted in August 2022, highlighted Hans’s inability to augment security along the PM’s route, labeling it a serious lapse that endangered the PM’s safety. The incident strained Centre-Punjab relations, with the Supreme Court rejecting Punjab’s plea for a state-led probe in November 2024.
Hans’s New Role in Mohali
As Mohali’s new SSP, Hans is tasked with overseeing law and order in a key district bordering Chandigarh, known for its urban challenges and proximity to sensitive areas. His appointment, however, has drawn criticism on platforms like X, where users question the Punjab government’s decision to promote an officer under scrutiny. Supporters argue Hans’s experience as Commandant of the 3rd IRB in Ludhiana equips him for the role, but critics demand greater transparency regarding the ongoing probe.
Implications for Punjab’s Administration
Hans’s appointment comes amid heightened India-Pakistan tensions and increased security concerns in Punjab. The Punjab government’s decision to entrust him with Mohali’s security underscores confidence in his capabilities, yet it risks fueling political controversy. As Hans navigates his new role, the unresolved investigation looms, potentially impacting public trust in Punjab’s law enforcement leadership.
