Chandigarh: The death of Gulzar Singh, a Dalit resident of Punjab’s Sangrur district, has triggered a political controversy in the state, with opposition parties demanding action against Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema over allegations surrounding Singh’s death. The episode has also brought renewed scrutiny to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s campaign against drugs, ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.
Singh, a resident of Toor Banjara village in the Dirba Assembly constituency, allegedly confronted Cheema during the minister’s visit to the village on September 6 and raised concerns over the alleged open sale of drugs. Singh reportedly told the minister that drug addiction had affected his family and claimed that three young men in the village had died due to addiction.
According to allegations cited by the Opposition, Singh was subsequently subjected to pressure and intimidation and was asked to issue an unconditional public apology for questioning the minister. On September 8, Singh consumed a poisonous substance and later died.
Before his death, Singh recorded a video statement in which he named Cheema and local panchayat members in connection with the alleged intimidation. Cheema has denied any involvement and said the allegations against him were part of a political campaign.
Police have registered a case against the village sarpanch, her husband and three others under provisions relating to abetment to suicide and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Cheema, however, has not been named in the FIR.
The development has prompted criticism from the Congress, BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), which have questioned why Cheema was not included in the case despite Singh’s video statement. Opposition leaders have demanded an investigation into the allegations and called for action against the minister.
BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP Tarun Chugh alleged that Singh had raised the issue of drug availability directly with Cheema but that no effective action was taken against those allegedly involved in drug trafficking.
Congress leader Sachin Pilot also criticised the state government over its handling of the drug issue. He referred to the AAP’s earlier promise to tackle the drug problem within three months and questioned the government’s record after more than four years in office.
Punjab Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa drew a parallel with the case involving former minister Laljit Singh Bhullar. Bhullar resigned from the Punjab Cabinet on March 21, 2026, following allegations that he had abetted the suicide of Punjab State Warehousing Corporation official Gagandeep Singh Randhawa. Bajwa argued that similar allegations in Singh’s case warranted action against Cheema.
The AAP government has rejected the Opposition’s allegations. Cheema described the criticism as an attempt to exploit a family tragedy for political purposes and said he would present evidence before the police and Special Investigation Team complete their investigation. He also maintained that a minister cannot be implicated solely on the basis of an individual’s statement.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann backed Cheema and accused opposition parties of engaging in what he termed “vulture politics”. He also defended the government’s broader record while criticising attempts to seek ministerial resignations over individual incidents.
The Punjab government has announced compensation of Rs 5 lakh for Singh’s family and promised employment to one family member.
The controversy comes as the state’s drug crisis remains a major political issue. With Punjab’s 2027 Assembly elections approaching, the handling of Singh’s death, the allegations against Cheema and the government’s anti-drug campaign are expected to remain subjects of political debate.
