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Cheema Denies Framing Allegations Over Dalit Labourer’s Death
Gulzar Singh, a Dalit labourer in Punjab, died after allegedly consuming poison on September 7.
His family says he was pressured and insulted after asking Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema about drugs.
A video said to be recorded by Gulzar before his death has become important in the political dispute.
Opposition parties say Cheema should resign and want an independent investigation.
BJP MP Tarun Chugh visited Gulzar’s family and asked for a CBI probe.
He said the family reported pressure and delays in getting medical help.
Cheema says the Opposition is trying to frame him and that he has evidence to answer the accusations.
A Punjab Police special investigation team is already examining the case.
The disagreement has also expanded into a wider argument about Punjab’s drug problem.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema accused Opposition parties of conspiring to frame him over Gulzar Singh’s death.
Gulzar Singh’s family alleges he faced harassment and casteist slurs after questioning Cheema about drug availability.
BJP MP Tarun Chugh met the family, called for a CBI probe and demanded Cheema’s resignation.
The Punjab Police special investigation team is investigating Gulzar’s death, while Opposition parties seek an independent probe and an FIR against Cheema.
Cheema defended the AAP government’s anti-drug efforts and criticized the BJP over cross-border drug smuggling and its planned Punjab yatras.
- Who
- Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Gulzar Singh’s family, BJP MP Tarun Chugh, and Opposition parties are central to the dispute.
- What
- Gulzar Singh’s death and allegations that he faced harassment and casteist slurs after questioning Cheema about drug availability are being investigated.
- Where
- The dispute centers on Toor Banjara village in Sangrur’s Dirba area, Punjab; Chugh also made remarks in Fazilka.
- When
- Gulzar Singh died on September 7; Cheema spoke on Wednesday, and the family said its final prayer meeting would be held Thursday afternoon.
- Why
- The family’s allegations and Gulzar’s purported final video prompted demands for Cheema’s resignation and an independent or central-agency investigation.
Cheema and AAP Government
Opposition and BJP
Responsibility for the allegations
Cheema and AAP Government
Harpal Singh Cheema says Opposition parties are joining hands to frame him and says he will respond with evidence after the investigation is completed.
Opposition and BJP
Opposition parties and BJP leaders link the allegations to Gulzar Singh’s purported final video and demand Cheema’s resignation and an FIR against him.
Type of investigation needed
Cheema and AAP Government
Cheema points to the ongoing Punjab Police special investigation team and says Gulzar’s original family statement is already public.
Opposition and BJP
Tarun Chugh and other Opposition parties demand an independent investigation, with Chugh specifically calling for a CBI probe.
Punjab’s drug crisis
Cheema and AAP Government
Cheema says the AAP government is pursuing action against traffickers and treatment for addiction, while blaming the Centre and the BJP for failing to stop cross-border smuggling.
Opposition and BJP
The BJP says Punjab faces a serious drug problem affecting entire families and is organizing ‘Nasha Mukt yatras’ to raise awareness and promote a drug-free state.
Key facts
- Deceased
- Gulzar Singh, a Dalit labourer
- Date of death
- September 7
- Investigation
- A special investigation team constituted by the Punjab Police is examining the death.
- Cheema’s position
- He says the Opposition is conspiring to frame him and that he has evidence to answer the allegations.
- BJP demand
- Tarun Chugh demanded a CBI probe, Cheema’s resignation, and cases against those named in Gulzar’s purported final video.
- Family’s allegations
- The family alleges harassment, casteist slurs, pressure, intimidation, and delayed medical assistance after Gulzar’s suicide attempt.
- Drug campaign
- The BJP announced four ‘Nasha Mukt yatras’ across Punjab from September 18.
Quotes
Harpal Singh Cheema
Punjab Finance Minister
“I have enough evidence. I do not want to bring out that evidence now as an investigation is currently underway. Let the investigation be completed.”
indianexpress.com
“The central question is whether raising a complaint against drugs has itself become a crime under the Bhagwant Mann government?”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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