New Delhi: The Election Commission of India (ECI) has revoked the suspension of IPS officer Dr. Ravjot Kaur Grewal (IPS: 2015, Punjab cadre), which had been imposed during the Tarn Taran Assembly bypolls, with immediate effect. The move brings closure to a matter that had kept the Punjab government in a procedural limbo for nearly two months.
ECI Revokes Suspension
An order dated 8 January 2026, issued by the Secretariat of the Election Commission, approved the revocation of Dr. Grewal’s suspension, effective immediately. The Commission clarified that this relief would not have retrospective effect. At the time of her suspension, Dr. Grewal was serving as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Tarn Taran.
The ECI also emphasized that the final decision on departmental proceedings initiated against Dr. Grewal will require the Commission’s concurrence, as per the applicable conduct and disciplinary rules for officers serving during elections.
Background of the Suspension
Dr. Grewal, a 2015-batch IPS officer, was suspended on 8 November 2025, just days ahead of the 11 November Tarn Taran Assembly by-election. The suspension followed complaints alleging misuse of police machinery during the Model Code of Conduct (MCC) period.
The action came after observations were made by a police observer deputed for the bypoll. Since the suspension was issued by the ECI, the Punjab government could not reinstate her without mandatory consultation with the Commission and the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT).
Sources had indicated that the state government had been proceeding cautiously to avoid any perception of interfering in election-related disciplinary matters. The issue was also discussed during the Punjab DGP’s appearance before the Election Commission.
With the ECI’s revocation order, Dr. Grewal has now been reinstated, while disciplinary proceedings will continue under the ECI’s supervision and concurrence framework.
Profile: Dr. Ravjot Kaur Grewal
Personal Background:
- Born in Patiala, Punjab, to an army officer and a schoolteacher.
- Married to Navneet Bains, also an IPS officer.
- Suffered the tragic loss of her four-year-old daughter in April 2024.
Education & Early Career:
- Professionally trained as a dentist, holding a BDS from Army College of Dental Sciences, Hyderabad.
- Topped the Punjab Civil Services (PCS) exam in 2014 and secured the 109th rank in UPSC Civil Services Exam 2015 on her second attempt.
Career Highlights:
- Early Postings: Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM), Amloh, Fatehgarh Sahib.
- Punjab Vigilance Bureau: Joint Director (IVC) and AIG, Counter Intelligence (SAS Nagar).
- Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Tarn Taran: Appointed September 2025.
- Notable Work: Played a key role in dismantling a major interstate fake degree racket while posted in Mohali.
Significance of the Move
The revocation of Dr. Grewal’s suspension underscores the ECI’s procedural role in election-related policing matters and clarifies the scope of state government action in such cases. It also reinstates a young, high-performing IPS officer whose career has been marked by field achievements and integrity in law enforcement.
