Archive · 17 Sep 2026
AAP Faces Law, Governance Challenges Ahead Of Punjab Polls
Punjab will soon hold elections, and the ruling AAP government is facing several problems.
One case concerns Gulzar Singh, who died after allegedly consuming poison.
His family says he faced harassment and casteist insults after asking about drugs in his area.
Another man, Mohanjeet Singh, says police tortured him in custody.
There is also a disputed allegation involving the chief minister’s wife and Rs 5 crore.
Government employees and pensioners are protesting over pay, pensions and other demands.
The Enforcement Directorate and Punjab Police are arguing over an alleged cash-for-transfers case.
These issues are giving opposition parties more subjects to raise before the election.
The Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government faces scrutiny over law and order, governance and corruption allegations before Punjab’s assembly elections.
The suicide of Gulzar Singh has prompted allegations of caste-based harassment linked to questioning Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema about drugs; Cheema denies them.
Sikh activist Mohanjeet Singh has alleged custodial torture after protesting at a Bhagwant Mann programme, placing Punjab Police under scrutiny.
Controversies also include a Rs 5 crore allegation involving Gurpreet Kaur, employee protests, and an Enforcement Directorate-Punjab Police dispute over alleged cash-for-transfers.
Opposition parties are highlighting drugs and law and order as several disputes reach the Punjab and Haryana High Court ahead of the polls.
- Who
- The Bhagwant Mann-led Aam Aadmi Party government, Punjab Police, opposition parties, government employees and pensioners, and people involved in the cited allegations.
- What
- The AAP government is facing political and judicial scrutiny over law and order, policing, corruption allegations, employee protests and a dispute between the Enforcement Directorate and Punjab Police.
- When
- The issues are arising as Punjab’s assembly elections, due early next year, approach; Gulzar Singh died on September 7.
- Where
- Punjab, including Sangrur and Dirba, with several matters before the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
- Why
- The controversies challenge the government’s record and political promises, particularly its pledge to tackle drugs and improve law and order.
Critics, complainants and opposition
Government and accused parties
Allegations of harassment and police misconduct
Critics, complainants and opposition
Gulzar Singh’s family alleges casteist harassment connected to his questioning of Harpal Singh Cheema about drugs, while Mohanjeet Singh alleges custodial torture after protesting at a Bhagwant Mann programme.
Government and accused parties
Harpal Singh Cheema denies the allegations and says he will present evidence in his defence; the government’s handling of the police allegations is under scrutiny.
Rs 5 crore allegation
Critics, complainants and opposition
Former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Ranjit Singh alleged that Gurpreet Kaur sought Rs 5 crore in connection with a rape case; the National Human Rights Commission has taken notice.
Government and accused parties
Gurpreet Kaur denies the allegation and has issued a legal notice to the complainant.
Enforcement Directorate-Punjab Police dispute
Critics, complainants and opposition
The Enforcement Directorate says it supplied material and has sought registration of an FIR over an alleged cash-for-transfers racket.
Government and accused parties
Punjab Police has sought further information from the Enforcement Directorate, and the dispute is being considered by the High Court.
- Ruling party
- Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)
- Chief minister
- Bhagwant Mann
- Election timing
- Punjab assembly elections are due early next year.
- Gulzar Singh case
- Gulzar Singh died on September 7 after allegedly consuming poison; his family has alleged harassment and casteist slurs.
- Employee protests
- State employees and pensioners are demanding action on salaries, pending dearness allowance, pensions and other service matters.
- Institutional dispute
- The Enforcement Directorate has sought an FIR over an alleged cash-for-transfers racket, while Punjab Police has requested further information.
- Judicial scrutiny
- Several matters have reached the Punjab and Haryana High Court.