Archive · 8 Sep 2026
Punjab Man Dies After Questioning Minister Over Drug Menace
Gulzar Singh was a man from Sangrur who worried about his son’s drug addiction.
He publicly asked Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema why drugs were easily available.
Singh later said that people had threatened him because of this question.
He consumed a poisonous substance and died after being treated at several hospitals.
Reports disagree about whether he was 47 or 50 years old.
Police filed a case against a village sarpanch, her husband, and a panchayat member.
Cheema said he had listened to Singh and asked police to take action against drug suppliers.
He denied causing the events that led to Singh’s death.
Opposition parties blamed the government for the drug problem and demanded an investigation.
Gulzar Singh, reported as aged 47 or 50, died after consuming poison following his public questioning of Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema about drug availability.
Singh alleged in a video that he was threatened after raising concerns about his son’s addiction and the sale of heroin, or “chitta,” in the village.
Police registered a case against sarpanch Baljinder Kaur, her husband Baljinder Singh alias Raj, and panchayat member Vicky Singh.
Cheema denied responsibility, said he had asked police to act against drug suppliers, and called for an investigation into Singh’s death.
Opposition leaders demanded accountability, while reports also raised questions about delays and facilities during Singh’s transfer between hospitals.
- Who
- Gulzar Singh, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, village officials named in a police case, police, and opposition leaders.
- What
- Singh died after consuming poison after questioning Cheema about drug availability and alleging subsequent threats.
- When
- Singh questioned Cheema on a Sunday, consumed poison the following day, and died on Monday; the reports do not provide a calendar date.
- Where
- Singh lived in Sangrur district, Punjab; he was eventually treated at Dayanand Medical College and Hospital in Ludhiana.
- Why
- Singh said he was distressed by his son’s drug addiction and the wider drug problem; the circumstances surrounding his death are under investigation.
Critics and Opposition
Government and Minister
Responsibility for Singh’s death
Critics and Opposition
Singh’s statements and opposition leaders linked the death to alleged pressure or threats after he questioned Cheema and raised concerns about drugs.
Government and Minister
Cheema denied responsibility, said he did not know what happened after the meeting, and said anyone found guilty should face legal action.
Government response to the drug problem
Critics and Opposition
Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal, and BJP leaders said the Aam Aadmi Party government had failed to control the drug menace and demanded accountability, including Cheema’s removal.
Government and Minister
Cheema said he listened to Singh’s complaint and asked police to take appropriate action against people involved in supplying drugs; the government response is being investigated.
Emergency medical care
Critics and Opposition
BJP leader Daaman Bajwa alleged that Singh’s transfer between hospitals took nearly seven hours and that better treatment might have saved his life.
Government and Minister
The reports describe Singh’s movement between hospitals but do not include a government response confirming or rejecting the allegations about inadequate emergency care.
- Deceased
- Gulzar Singh, reported as 47 in one article and 50 in another
- Location
- Sangrur district, Punjab
- Reported cause
- Consumption of pesticide or another poisonous substance, followed by death
- Minister questioned
- Harpal Singh Cheema, Punjab Finance Minister
- Police case
- Registered against sarpanch Baljinder Kaur, Baljinder Singh alias Raj, and panchayat member Vicky Singh
- Final hospital
- Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Ludhiana
- Deaddiction admissions
- Government-centre admissions rose from 9,577 in 2024 to 25,290 in 2025, an increase of over 164 percent
