The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has taken the significant step of suspending its MLA from Amritsar North, Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, for five years due to allegations of anti-party activities. This disciplinary action follows closely on the heels of Singh’s public criticism of the arrest of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia and the controversial Vigilance Bureau raid at Majithia’s residence.
AAP’s Firm Stand Against Dissent Within Ranks
Party insiders reveal that the decision was finalized by AAP’s political affairs committee, emphasizing the party’s zero-tolerance approach towards members who undermine its vigorous campaign against drug trafficking in Punjab. According to these sources, Singh’s statements and actions were seen as obstructive to the party’s core agenda, prompting the unprecedented suspension.
The Man Behind the Headlines: Who is Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh?
Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh’s journey is marked by a rich blend of policing and politics. Originally from Gopalganj district in Bihar, Singh served as a high-ranking Indian Police Service (IPS) officer in Punjab before transitioning into politics.
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Law Enforcement Career: Singh was appointed Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in Amritsar in April 2007, a post he held until October 2009. Later, he rose through the ranks to become Deputy Inspector General in 2015 and Inspector General in 2019.
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Academic Credentials: His academic record is impressive, with a Master’s in Sanskrit from Patna University, another Master’s in Political Science from IGNOU, a PhD in Police Administration from Guru Nanak Dev University (GNDU), an LLB from Punjab University, and an MBA from IGNOU. Additionally, Singh holds a diploma in French from GNDU.
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Legal Profession: Besides his policing and political career, Singh is also a practicing advocate in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
From Police to Politics
In 2021, Singh resigned from his IPS role and entered the political arena by joining AAP. He won the Amritsar North assembly seat in 2022, defeating Congress incumbent Sunil Datti.
A Controversial Investigator
Singh headed the Special Investigation Team probing the 2015 Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan firing incidents, which were triggered by sacrilege cases involving the Guru Granth Sahib Ji. His report, presented to the Punjab and Haryana High Court, rattled the then Captain Amarinder Singh-led government, though the court dismissed it, citing political bias.
Personal Notes
Singh lost his wife, Madhumita, last year. He is a father to two daughters.
What Sparked the Suspension? Singh’s Stance on Majithia’s Arrest
On June 25, Singh publicly shared footage of the Vigilance Bureau’s raid on Bikram Singh Majithia’s home. The video featured Majithia’s wife, Ganieve Kaur—SAD MLA from Majitha—protesting against the perceived heavy-handedness of the officials.
Singh’s accompanying remarks questioned the ethics behind the raid. He pointed out that when Majithia was jailed in 2022, the AAP-led government under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann neither interrogated him nor sought his remand, eventually granting bail.
Singh stated:
“Respect for a family’s dignity transcends political divides. Raiding someone’s home early in the morning breaches ethical conduct.”
He further emphasized the misuse of state agencies across successive governments for political gain, which rarely yields meaningful outcomes. Though acknowledging his ideological differences with Majithia, Singh maintained that principles, religion, and integrity must take precedence over party lines.
He elaborated that the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted Majithia bail on the grounds that holding someone without need for interrogation is unlawful. Singh questioned the sudden raids and notices issued after the state had earlier facilitated Majithia’s bail, describing these actions as a violation of dignity, particularly of Majithia’s wife.
The Road Ahead for Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh and AAP
This suspension highlights the growing pains within Punjab’s political landscape as AAP intensifies its fight against corruption and drug-related issues. How Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh navigates this setback—and whether the party’s internal cohesion will hold—remains to be seen.
For now, AAP’s message is clear: loyalty to the party’s mission against drugs and corruption is non-negotiable, and dissent that hampers these efforts will face stern consequences.