Chandigarh
What began as a public confrontation over the unabated availability of ‘chitta’ has ended in the death of Sangrur’s 47-year-old daily wager, with his family alleging that he was pressured to apologise for questioning Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and subsequently consumed poison. Police have booked five people for alleged abetment to suicide, harassment, and caste-based offences, putting the spotlight on what happened after Gulzar Singh raised the drug issue before the Minister at a village gathering.
The case has acquired added significance as it comes barely days after another Sangrur resident, anti-drug activist Mohanjit Singh, alleged that he was beaten in custody after displaying a black flag and questioning the government’s handling of drugs during Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s programme in Sunam. The two incidents have brought renewed scrutiny to the manner in which people raising the drug issue publicly are being dealt with.
Gulzar, a resident of Tur Banjara village in Dirba constituency, reportedly confronted Cheema during his September 6 visit to the village and questioned him about the easy availability of ‘chitta’ in his constituency. He also told the Minister that his son was addicted to the drug and had been selling household belongings to sustain his addiction.
The exchange took place in a public gathering, making Gulzar’s question a direct challenge to the government’s claims on its campaign against drugs.
According to his family and villagers, trouble began after the programme. They alleged that local panchayat members came to Gulzar’s house and pressured him to apologise for raising the issue before the Minister. A purported video recorded before his death shows Gulzar alleging that he had been threatened and naming people he held responsible if anything happened to him.
He subsequently consumed a poisonous substance on September 7. His condition deteriorated despite treatment and he was eventually shifted to DMC Hospital, Ludhiana, where he died.
On the complaint of Gulzar’s son Lakhwinder Singh, police registered a case against village sarpanch Baljinder Kaur, her husband Baljeet Singh alias Raj, panchayat member Vicky Singh, Sukhdev Singh alias Sukha, and Gona Singh. The FIR invokes Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita relating to abetment of suicide, besides relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Cheema has not been named in the FIR. Police said the case was registered on the basis of the family’s allegations and material gathered during the inquiry. The accused’s side has denied intimidating Gulzar. Baljeet Singh maintained that the panchayat had listened to Gulzar’s concerns and assured him that help would be provided for his son.
Cheema has denied any role in the events leading to Gulzar’s death. He said he had listened to Gulzar’s complaint during the village visit and had directed police to take action against those involved in drug supply. The minister said he was unaware of what happened subsequently and described the circumstances of Gulzar’s death as a matter requiring investigation. He maintained that anyone found guilty would face action under law.
NHRC Takes Note, Seeks Report from Punjab Government
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of the death of Sangrur’s Gulzar Singh and sought a report from the Punjab Government. NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo said the Commission had received a complaint alleging that Gulzar was harassed after raising the issue of drug abuse before Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. The Commission has issued notices to Punjab’s Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, seeking a detailed report on the facts of the case and action taken by the authorities. Kanoongo said the allegations that Gulzar was subjected to pressure and harassment after raising the drug issue were serious and warranted examination.
