Sarpanch, 4 others face abetment case over Punjab villager's death after drug complaint

Gulzar Singh was allegedly pressured after raising drug sales and his son's 'chitta' addiction before state minister Harpal Singh Cheema, who is not named in the FIR.

In Short

• Victim Gulzar Singh allegedly faced pressure after raising Punjab’s drug menace
• Human rights body takes cognisance, citing allegations of harassment before suicide
• Opposition targets Bhagwant Mann govt over handling of Punjab’s drug crisis

Police have registered an FIR against a village sarpanch and four others for alleged abetment to suicide, harassment and offences under the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act in connection with the death of Gulzar Singh, a resident of Tur Banjara village in Punjab’s Dirba Assembly constituency.

The case follows allegations that Singh was pressured after raising the issue of open drug sales and his son’s addiction to 'chitta' before Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema during a village programme in Sangrur. Cheema, however, has not been named in the FIR. Cheema is the MLA from the Dirba Assembly constituency.

According to the FIR, Gulzar Singh (47) approached Cheema during a development-related programme in the village on September 6 and spoke about the availability of drugs in the area.

He also reportedly told the minister that his son was addicted to 'chitta'. His family and villagers alleged that he subsequently came under pressure from members of the village panchayat to apologise for raising the issue publicly.

Singh then consumed a poisonous substance. He was initially taken to a government hospital in Sangrur before being referred to Rajindra Hospital in Patiala and later to DMC Hospital in Ludhiana.

Police officials, including Dirba DSP Rupinder Kaur Bajwa, visited the hospital and began recording statements from Singh and his family. Police subsequently registered the case based on the allegations and material available during the inquiry.

The sarpanch’s side has denied any intimidation or harassment. Baljeet Singh, husband of Sarpanch Baljinder Kaur Sidhu, said the allegations were "completely baseless".

He said Singh had raised the drug issue during Cheema’s visit, after which the minister and panchayat members counselled him and assured him of assistance.

He maintained that Singh left the programme normally and that the panchayat later learnt that he had consumed poison. He denied any threat or argument involving Singh.

HUMAN RIGHTS BODY TAKES NOTE

The case has also drawn the attention of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which has taken cognisance of the matter.

NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo said the Commission had taken note of allegations that an elderly man, who had raised the issue of drug abuse before the state minister, was subsequently harassed and later consumed poison.

POLITICS ERUPTS OVER SUICIDE

The incident has triggered a sharp political confrontation in Punjab, with opposition parties targeting the Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party government over its handling of the drug menace.

SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia accused the government of silencing a villager who questioned the drug trade.

Congress leaders Sukhpal Singh Khaira and Pratap Singh Bajwa also criticised the government and demanded accountability, while the Punjab Congress called for justice without political or administrative interference.

Congress general secretary Jairam Ramesh said, "The Terrifying and Utterly Shameful Face of the AAP Government in Punjab! Gulzar Singh, who expressed the agony of his son ruined by drugs (chitta) and openly questioned Finance Minister Harpal Cheema about the rampant sale of drugs, was forced to take his own life".

Meanwhile, the BJP has demanded the resignations of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Cheema, besides action against those allegedly responsible.

The controversy comes amid heightened political scrutiny of the Mann government’s flagship “War Against Drugs” campaign, with the opposition alleging that the administration has failed to curb the drug trade.

With the FIR now registered and the NHRC taking cognisance, the police investigation and findings on the allegations are likely to determine the next course of action.

- Ends
With PTI inputs