Harbhajan Singh: Mob Attacked Home in Presence of ACP, SHO
The district administration gave permission for an AAP protest at his private residence, alleges cricketer- turned-MP Harbhajan Singh. The state security was withdrawn the same morning. When the mob arrived, the local police watched, adds Bhajji
North Desk Correspondent
Chandigarh/Jalandhar, May 1
On the morning of April 25, the security cover of Harbhajan Singh — former international cricketer and sitting Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha — was withdrawn by the Punjab government. By afternoon, a mob had reached his private residence at Chhoti Baradari, Phase-1, Jalandhar, painted “Gaddar” on the outer walls, and began breaking the front gate. The local ACP (East) and SHO, Sub Division No. 7, Jalandhar, were present throughout, according to allegations made by Harbhajan Singh in a petition filed before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. They did not intervene. The attack continued the next day as well.
On April 30, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, taking up the petition, directed the Punjab government to ensure that no physical harm is caused to Harbhajan Singh or his family members while they are in the state. The state government has also been put on notice.
Who is Harbhajan Singh
Harbhajan Singh, often remembered for his ‘doosra’ delivery, is one of India’s finest off-spin bowlers, having made his international debut in 1998 and taken more than 700 wickets across formats. He was a key member of India’s victorious squads in the 2007 ICC T20 World Cup and the 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup. For his contributions to the sport, he was awarded the Arjuna Award in 2003 and the Padma Shri in 2009 — the fourth highest civilian honour in India.
In April 2022, he was elected to the Rajya Sabha from the Aam Aadmi Party. His residence at Jalandhar is where he lives with his mother Avtar Kaur, aged around 80, his wife Geeta Basra, a daughter aged 10, a son aged 5, and other family members.
The Day Before: AAP Exit Announcement
They joined the Bhartiya Janata Party.
Less than 24 hours later, on the morning of April 25, the ADGP Security, Punjab, issued an order withdrawing the entire security cover of Harbhajan Singh — without conducting any fresh threat perception review and without issuing any notice or opportunity of hearing to him, according to the petition.
Security He Had — And Lost
The security cover granted to Harbhajan Singh in May 2022 had followed a formal threat perception review by State Intelligence and Security agencies. It comprised 24 police personnel deployed across his Jalandhar residence and his official residence in Delhi. The withdrawal order of April 25 recalled all of them simultaneously, leaving not a single security personnel at either location.
DC Gave Permission, ACP Stood Watch
According to allegations in the Harbhajan Singh’s petition, on the same morning that security was withdrawn, the Deputy Commissioner, Jalandhar, granted permission to AAP members to hold a protest at Harbhajan Singh’s private residence. Around 2:30 PM, a mob reached the house, painted the word “Gaddar” — traitor — on the outer walls, and proceeded to break the front gate. Harbhajan Singh was in Mumbai at the time for a personal event and learned of the attack through a call from his brother-in-law.
The ACP (East), Jalandhar, and the SHO, Sub Division No. 7, were present at the scene, the petition. Rather than restraining the mob, they are alleged to have facilitated the attack. No action was taken against the attackers, says petition filed for Harbhajan Singh by his lawyers Harpreet Singh Multani, Harmanpreet S. Mander, Aakashdeep Singh, Karanbir Singh Randhawa, and Ramaninder S. Jagal.
Attack Continued the Next Day
The mob returned on April 26 as well. The attack was widely reported by national media. It was only after this that the Ministry of Home Affairs intervened and deployed four CRPF personnel at the Jalandhar residence. However, the state security cover has not been restored.
Harbhajan Singh sent a detailed representation to the ADGP Security on April 28, seeking immediate restoration of his security cover and a fresh threat perception assessment. No action was taken.
High Court Steps In
With no response from the state, Harbhajan Singh approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court. On April 30, the court directed that the respondents shall ensure that no physical injury is caused to the petitioner or his family members while they are in the state of Punjab. Notice has been issued to the Punjab government.
The matter is being heard along with another connected petition.
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