On April 30, 2026, Harbhajan Singh, a prominent Member of Parliament, found himself at the center of a security controversy. His security cover was abruptly withdrawn, leading to a violent incident at his residence in Jalandhar shortly thereafter.
Just days before the attack, on April 25, the Punjab government issued an order removing his security without any new threat assessment or prior notice. This decision seemed highly questionable, especially considering that Singh had previously been granted protection after a review by state intelligence agencies in May 2022.
The situation escalated quickly. Following the withdrawal of his security, a crowd reportedly attacked his home in Jalandhar. This alarming turn of events prompted intervention from the Ministry of Home Affairs, which subsequently deployed CRPF personnel to ensure his safety.
Singh filed a petition challenging the withdrawal of his security cover. In this petition, he alleges that the decision was politically motivated—timed suspiciously with his departure from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). His legal team emphasized that this action was taken without any new threat assessment or opportunity for him to be heard.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has taken notice of Singh’s petition and has issued a notice to the Punjab government regarding these serious allegations. The court will hear the case again on May 12, 2026.
The Punjab Advocate General stated that Harbhajan Singh is not currently residing in Punjab, which complicates matters further. However, many observers question whether this justification holds weight given the recent violence.
The implications of this sequence of events are significant not just for Singh but also for political dynamics in Punjab. The perception that political motivations drove this decision could undermine public trust in governmental actions regarding security measures.
As events unfold, one wonders how this will impact Singh’s political career and safety moving forward. With no action taken on his representation submitted on April 28 seeking restoration of his security, uncertainty looms large.
