Archive · 8 Sep 2026
BJP Targets Punjab Government After Sangrur Man’s Drug-Linked Death
Gulzar Singh was a man from Sangrur, Punjab, whose son was reportedly struggling with drug addiction.
Singh publicly asked why a drug called “chitta” was easily available in his village.
The BJP says local leaders pressured him after he questioned a state minister.
It also says Singh recorded a video before consuming poison and later died despite treatment.
Police opened a case against a village sarpanch and two other people.
Police have denied the harassment allegations and are investigating what happened.
The BJP says the incident shows that the Punjab government is not doing enough to stop drugs.
The government says its campaign has arrested many suspected smugglers and helped some people enter rehabilitation.
Gulzar Singh, a Sangrur resident, died after allegedly consuming poison following concerns about heroin availability in his village.
The BJP alleged that local AAP-linked leaders pressured Singh to apologise after he questioned Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.
Police registered a case of alleged abetment to suicide and harassment against a sarpanch and two others.
Police denied harassment allegations and said they were investigating the circumstances of Singh’s death.
The Punjab government said its anti-drug campaign had arrested 77,421 suspected smugglers in 554 days.
- Who
- Gulzar Singh, BJP leaders Gaurav Bhatia and Amit Malviya, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and Punjab Police are central to the dispute.
- What
- The BJP is accusing the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government of failing to control drugs after Gulzar Singh’s death.
- When
- The BJP criticism was reported on Tuesday; the anti-drug campaign figures cover 554 days.
- Where
- The incident involved Toor Banjara village in Sangrur district’s Dirba constituency in Punjab.
- Why
- The dispute followed Singh’s public concerns about the availability of heroin, known locally as “chitta,” and allegations that he was pressured afterward.
Punjab Government and Police Position
BJP Opposition Criticism
Circumstances of Gulzar Singh’s death
Punjab Government and Police Position
Police said they were investigating and denied allegations that Singh was harassed, while registering a case against a sarpanch and two others.
BJP Opposition Criticism
The BJP alleged that local AAP-linked leaders pressured and intimidated Singh after he questioned the minister about drug availability.
Effectiveness of anti-drug efforts
Punjab Government and Police Position
The AAP government said its “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign had arrested 77,421 suspected smugglers in 554 days and helped dismantle drug networks.
BJP Opposition Criticism
The BJP said the continuing availability of drugs and Singh’s death showed that the government was prioritising publicity over stopping supply and distribution networks.
Responsibility for drug trafficking
Punjab Government and Police Position
The Punjab government has repeatedly accused the Centre of failing to stop cross-border smuggling of narcotics and weapons by drones from Pakistan.
BJP Opposition Criticism
The BJP said the Punjab government must answer for the availability of drugs in villages and demanded accountability from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.
- Deceased
- Gulzar Singh, a resident of Toor Banjara village in Sangrur district.
- Drug referenced
- “Chitta,” a term used in the reports for heroin or drugs.
- Political allegations
- The BJP alleged that local AAP-linked leaders pressured Singh to apologise to Harpal Singh Cheema.
- Police case
- A case of alleged abetment to suicide and harassment was registered against a sarpanch and two others.
- Police position
- Police denied harassment allegations and said they were investigating the death.
- Anti-drug campaign
- Punjab Police’s “Yudh Nashian Virudh” campaign was reported to be in its 554th day.
- Reported enforcement
- The government said 77,421 suspected smugglers had been arrested, including 62 on Monday, when 306 grams of heroin and 190 intoxicant pills were recovered.
