Explained: Why Deol’s appointment as Punjab Advocate General has raised eyebrows

Deol represented Saini in an alleged corruption case this month, when the Amarinder Singh government was under pressure for failing in making any headway in the 2015 Kotakpura police firing case, in which Saini was an accused.

Amar Preet Singh Deol takes charge as the Punjab Advocate General (Express photo)

The appointment of Amar Preet Singh Deol as Punjab Advocate General has raised eyebrows in political circles as the move may hurt the Congress party in public perception. Deol was associated with former Punjab Director General of Police Sumedh Saini and suspended Inspector General of Police Paramraj Singh Umranangal.

Deol represented Saini in an alleged corruption case earlier this month, when the Amarinder Singh government was under political pressure for allegedly failing in making any headway in the 2015 Kotakpura police firing case, in which Saini was an accused. Saini managed to secure a blanket bail from Punjab and Haryana High court with Deol’s help.

Besides representing Saini in a human rights violation case, Deol also appeared multiple times for Saini and Umranangal in the 2015 police firing cases, which again are politically sensitive cases related to sacrilege incidents in the state.

Once powerful officers beyond the politics

Saini and Umranangal were the most powerful police officers in the state during the SAD-BJP alliance government. Both were accused of committing human rights violations during the militancy period.

Everything was going right for both the officers despite their controversial past until the 2015 Kotakpura and Behbal Kalan police firing incidents.

Also in Explained | Explained: 5 reasons why Navjot Singh Sidhu quit as Punjab Congress Chief

How Saini and Umranangal become politically untouchables

During a debate on August 28, 2018 in Punjab assembly on the Justice Ranjit Singh commission report on Behbal Kalan firing, Cabinet minister Tripat Rajinder Singh Bajwa had said that Saini was worse than Mughals when it comes to atrocities committed on Punjabis. Bajwa had said, “I was advised that if I named Saini, then a section of society would turn against us. I must not upset that section. I want to ask them, who gave me such advice, who were Vinod Kumar and Ashok Kumar missing in the Saini Motor case?”

Story continues below this ad

Vinod Kumar disappeared from custody of the Ludhiana Kotwali police along with his brother-in-law Ashok Kumar and driver Mukhtiyar Singh. They had been under detention from February 23 to March 3, 1994 and their bodies were never found. The main accused in the case is former Punjab DGP Sumedh Singh Saini, who was then SSP Ludhiana.

Bajwa had made a politically brave statement in the assembly targeting all parties including his own Congress, for supporting a subtle perception that any legal action for human rights violations against police officers like Saini, who were in key positions during Sikh militancy in the state, would hurt a particular vote bank.

In August 2019, Patti Congress MLA Harminder Singh Gill wrote a lengthy post on Facebook and narrated the details of an alleged torture on his 73-year-old uncle during a raid conducted by Sumedh Saini at his home in Mohali in the middle of night in August 1992, when Congress’ Beant Singh was the chief minister.

“I am not able to understand why the Akali government appointed Saini as DGP, ignoring the allegations against him by four senior police officers?” asked Gill in the post.

Story continues below this ad

📣 JOIN NOW 📣: The Express Explained Telegram Channel

When a lawyer apologised after appearing for Umranangal

In April 2020, Gurudwara Judicial Commission chairman Satnam Singh Kaler apologised to Sikhs for appearing as legal counsel for Saini in a human rights violation case.

After losing the 2017 assembly elections, SAD also attempted to disassociate itself with officers like Saini. It even said on record that appointment of Sumedh Saini as Punjab DGP during its rule was a mistake.

In April 2020, Shiromani Gurudwara Parbandhak Committee had come down heavily on its employees who had honoured Umranangal for making an offering to the community kitchen of Golden Temple.

Story continues below this ad

Newsletter | Click to get the day’s best explainers in your inbox

Kamaldeep Singh Brar

Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More