Punjab Drug Crisis: Sangrur Man Dies by Suicide After Raising Questions About Drug Menace
Gulzar Singh, 50, allegedly blamed Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and a village sarpanch before his death, prompting opposition parties to demand an investigation.
Chandigarh, September 8, 2026: The death by suicide of a 50-year-old man from Punjab’s Sangrur district has triggered a political controversy after he allegedly blamed state Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and a village sarpanch in his final statements.
Gulzar Singh had reportedly raised concerns about the drug problem in his village and questioned Cheema about the issue during the minister’s visit to the area. Days later, Singh consumed pesticide. Despite being in severe pain, he was able to speak to people before his death and made allegations about the circumstances that had left him distressed.
According to the report, Singh alleged that he had faced pressure from police officials after questioning the Aam Aadmi Party leader. He claimed that he was taken aside and pressured to apologise following the exchange.
In his final account, Singh also spoke about the impact of drug addiction on his own family. He said his son was struggling with drug use and alleged that his financial situation had deteriorated to the point where his house had been sold. He also expressed frustration that the drug problem had not been resolved despite repeated discussions about it.
Family Says Village Sarpanch Was Angry
Singh’s family has also raised questions about what happened after he spoke about the alleged availability of drugs in the village.
His son claimed that the village sarpanch became angry after his father alleged that drugs were being openly sold in the area. According to the son, the sarpanch scolded his father following the allegation.
The allegations have not only raised questions about the circumstances surrounding Singh’s death but have also brought renewed attention to Punjab’s long-running battle against drug abuse.
Opposition Demands Investigation
Opposition parties have called for a thorough investigation into Singh’s death and have demanded accountability from the state government.
The Congress alleged that Singh’s death was a stark reminder of the drug problem in Punjab and accused the AAP government of failing to adequately address the issue. The party also called for the resignation of Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal also questioned the state government’s handling of the drug crisis and asked what concrete action had been taken to tackle the problem.
BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu likewise cited Singh’s allegations and called for action against Cheema. Bittu claimed that Singh had raised the drug issue because he was trying to save his son and alleged that the situation had pushed him towards taking the extreme step. He demanded that Cheema be removed from the state Cabinet and called for a case to be registered against him.
These are political allegations and demands for action; the source does not establish them as proven findings.
Drug Treatment Numbers Show Growing Pressure
The controversy comes against the backdrop of rising demand for treatment for drug addiction in Punjab.
According to the latest government data cited in the report, admissions at government-run de-addiction centres increased sharply from 9,577 in 2024 to 25,290 in 2025—a rise of more than 164 per cent.
More than 14,000 people had already been admitted to government de-addiction centres by July, suggesting that the demand for treatment has remained high this year as well.
A Death That Has Put the Drug Issue Back in Focus
Gulzar Singh’s death has now become part of a wider political debate over Punjab’s drug crisis. His family’s allegations, his final statements and the sharp response from opposition parties have intensified calls for an independent and detailed investigation.
At the heart of the controversy is a deeply personal story: a father who said his own son was struggling with drugs, a family that he claimed had suffered severe financial hardship, and a man who had publicly questioned authorities over what he saw as an unresolved problem in his community.
The investigation will be crucial in establishing the facts surrounding Singh’s death and determining whether any of the allegations made against political or local authorities have substance.
News source: Information for this article was gathered from a variety of reliable news outlets.
