Retired Chandigarh cop joins newly formed political party Aapki Awaaz ahead of Lok Sabha polls

Speaking to The Indian Express, Roshan Lal said, “This party is connected with people at the ground level. It has employees associated with it, people from colonies, all those at the grassroots. And this is what prompted me to join the party. If given an opportunity by the party, I will definitely contest the polls from Chandigarh. I am here to serve the people of the city.”

Aapki Awaaz president Prem Pal Chauhan said the people of Chandigarh needed a change, and that was why they formed the party.

“The people of Chandigarh were fed up with the national parties, the BJP and the Congress. This was the reason why they elected AAP representatives in the 2021 MC polls, but now everyone is dejected when even AAP and Congress announced their collaboration. There are 65,000 people who have been devoid of ownership rights they were promised by the BJP and Congress.”

He added, “The national parties have befooled Chandigarh residents and it was high time that the city required a local resident. We are connected with the roots of the city.”

When asked if Roshan Lal would be the party candidate from the Chandigarh Parliamentary seat, Chauhan said, “Yes, quite possible, though we are just announcing key joinings as of now. The winnability of each candidate would be seen before announcing the candidate.”

A recipient of the President’s police medal for meritorious services as well as the administrator’s police medal for meritorious and distinguished services, Lal headed various wings in Chandigarh police, holding charge of SP (communications), additional charge commandant Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) and SP (law and order), among others.

Lal began his career in 1979 as a constable and was awarded eight promotions over 40 years of service. He was promoted to sub-inspector on March 19, 1991, and inspector in 1996. During his time as inspector with the Chandigarh Police, he worked with former IPS officer Kiran Bedi, who was then inspector general. He became a deputy superintendent of police in 2003.

In 2015, Lal, benefiting from the new promotion policy approved by the UT administration, was promoted to the rank of superintendent of police (communications). He was given an ORP (on-rank promotion) as per the new promotion policy approved in July 2015. He was promoted as per the notification issued by the UT administration on July 31, stating that the DSPs who are otherwise fit for promotion and have completed 12 years of service as DSP will be granted ORP and be re-designated as SP.

Lal once faced an inquiry after a complaint when a cash-for-leave scam in IRB surfaced, but he was given a clean chit.

Lal lives with his wife in Chandigarh while his children are settled in Australia. His daughter works with Infosys, while his son is a teacher.