started · updated
Punjab: Man dies by suicide after questioning Finance Minister over drug menace
A political controversy has erupted in Punjab following the death by suicide of Gulzar Singh, a resident of Sangrur district. Singh reportedly consumed poison after publicly questioning state Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema regarding the proliferation of synthetic drugs, specifically ‘chitta’, in the region.
Allegations suggest that Singh faced intense pressure and humiliation from village panchayat members, including the sarpanch, to apologize for his confrontation with the minister. Following his death, an FIR was registered against several individuals for abetment to suicide and violations of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. Several people have reportedly been arrested.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from opposition leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, who accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of a ‘dangerous pattern’ of intimidation against those questioning state failures. The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has intervened, seeking a report from the Punjab government and ordering an inquiry into the matter.
The Aam Aadmi Party has dismissed the allegations as ‘dirty politics’ and ‘politics of vultures,’ asserting that the accused have been apprehended and that the government remains committed to fighting drug traffickers.
Entities
Aam Aadmi Party · Bhagwant Mann · Gulzar Singh · Harpal Singh Cheema · National Commission for Scheduled Castes · Punjab · Sangrur
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] An FIR has been registered against five individuals for abetment to suicide and violations of the SC/ST Prevention of Atrocities Act. news.abplive.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] Gulzar Singh accused Punjab Minister Harpal Singh Cheema of being directly responsible for his suicide. www.latestly.com · news.abplive.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] Gulzar Singh questioned Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema regarding the availability of synthetic drugs in his area. www.timesnownews.com · bhaskarlive.in · www.latestly.com · news.abplive.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Gulzar Singh was pressured by village panchayat members to apologize after questioning the drug trade. www.timesnownews.com · desitalkchicago.com · www.latestly.com · news.abplive.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Aam Aadmi Party stated that all individuals named by the deceased's family have been arrested. yespunjab.com · newsable.asianetnews.com