The security lapse involving Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to Punjab three years ago has come back into the spotlight. A Ferozepur court has issued arrest warrants against 25 farmers, adding charges of attempted murder under Section 307 of the Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The development came to light when summons were issued to the farmers, revealing that police had recently added Sections 307, 353, 341, 186, 149, and Section 8-B of the National Highways Act to the original FIR. The case, initially registered under Section 283 (obstruction of a public road), has now taken a more serious turn.
On the day of the incident, PM Modi was scheduled to address a rally in Ferozepur and pay homage at the Hussainiwala Memorial. Due to inclement weather, his helicopter journey was canceled, and he traveled by road. However, farmers blocked the route, causing the PM’s convoy to halt on Pyareyana Flyover for nearly 20 minutes before returning to Delhi. Upon reaching Bathinda airport, Modi reportedly remarked, “Thank your Chief Minister that I could reach Bathinda alive.”
According to police sources, the farmers had repeatedly failed to appear in court, prompting the issuance of arrest warrants. The court has directed police to arrest the accused and present them by January 22. SP (Detective) Randhir Kumar confirmed that investigations are ongoing.
Initially filed as a bailable offense, the FIR now includes graver charges like attempted murder (Section 307), assault on a public servant (Section 353), wrongful restraint (Section 341), obstruction of duty (Section 186), unlawful assembly (Section 149), and provisions under the National Highways Act. The FIR names 26 individuals, including BKU (Revolutionary) General Secretary Baldev Singh Jeera. One accused, Major Singh, has passed away, while action has intensified against the remaining 25.
Following the incident, the Supreme Court formed a committee led by retired Justice Indu Malhotra to investigate the security breach. The committee recommended strict action against then-DGP Siddharth Chattopadhyay, DIG Inderbir Singh, and SSP Harman Hans, among others. It also questioned the roles of then-Home Secretary Anirudh Tiwari and other officials.
After the AAP government replaced the Congress in Punjab, disciplinary action was taken against seven police officers. This included suspensions of SP Gurbinder Singh, DSPs Prasoon Singh and Jagdish Kumar, and other officers who were on duty in Ferozepur during the PM’s visit.
BKU (Revolutionary) President Surjit Singh Phool accused the Punjab government of acting under pressure from the central government. He claimed that police are raiding farmers’ homes for arrests and described the charges, including attempted murder, as baseless.
“Our protests were peaceful, and these allegations are part of a conspiracy to intimidate farmers and their leaders,” Phool told the media. He also alleged that Punjab Police had previously detained farmer leader Jagjit Singh Dallewal in November but later released him. Phool warned the government against targeting farmers, accusing the center of attempting to weaken their movement.
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