Chandigarh, Sep 21 (PTI) A man allegedly attempted suicide over drug supply in his village in Punjab’s Sangrur, triggering a political row, with the opposition blaming the government for “failing” to check the menace and the ruling AAP saying they are defending a person facing nine criminal cases to defame the state.
The incident came to light after a video of the incident surfaced online, days after a man “facing threats” after questioning Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema over the supply of drugs in his area allegedly committed suicide in Dirba village in Sangrur — the home district of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Jagga Singh of Namol village in Sangrur allegedly attempted suicide on Sunday by consuming poison outside the district administration complex, claiming that he was threatened by the sarpanch of his village after he shared a video of drug supply there.
He claimed that he had approached police, but no action was taken. He is currently undergoing treatment at a hospital in Patiala.
Police, however, refuted the charge and said a case has been registered in the matter. They said Singh was a “habitual offender”, with nine criminal cases, including one under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, registered against him.
Namol panchayat members, too, denied Singh’s allegations, Rejecting Jagga Singh’s allegations, Namol panchayat members alleged he was levelling false accusations and he had been “politically instigated” to attempt suicide.
Singh claimed in the video that he had posted a video of the supply of ‘chitta’ (synthetic drugs) on the internet, but the village sarpanch threatened him and forced him to delete the video.
He alleged that cameras at his house were also damaged and police took no action even after he filed a complaint.
In another video, he claimed there was an “unabated” supply of drugs in Namol.
Addressing a press conference, Sangrur Senior Superintendent of Police Ravjot Kaur Grewal said Singh was immediately taken to the Civil Hospital, from where he was referred to Rajindra Hospital, Patiala.
His condition is currently stable and he remains under medical observation, the officer said.
On allegations of police inaction, the SSP said police have taken lawful cognisance of every development.
Grewal said Singh is a “habitual offender” involved in nine criminal FIRs. He has already been convicted and sentenced in four cases — one under the NDPS Act and three under the Excise Act.
In addition, trial is underway in four more cases under the Excise Act. Singh was also booked in a rape case registered at the Thuliwal police station, but was acquitted, he said.
A complaint from the village panchayat claiming that Singh was “politically instigated” to attempt suicide was also being probed, the SSP said.
The opposition targeted the AAP government over the incident.
BJP MP Tarun Chugh asked what was Singh’s fault.
“His only crime was that he spoke out against the drug mafia. He was threatened and harassed, and when he sought police help, what happened? Police was nowhere to be found, but the Sarpanch made his life miserable,” Chugh alleged in a post on X.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring shared on X purported CCTV footage of drug peddling outside Singh’s house and a video of his wife’s statement claiming that they approached the sarpanch regarding the matter.
“Were the people seen in the CCTV footage identified, questioned or investigated? Was any action taken on the complaint?” he asked.
“Even if allegations or cases exist against the complainant, that by itself does not prove that the allegation he raised was false. His background can be examined separately but the substance of his complaint must also be independently investigated,” the Congress leader said.
He said the AAP cannot turn allegations against the complainant into a “convenient excuse to avoid the bigger question: were drugs actually being sold in the village and what action was taken”.
Senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa questioned the reality behind the state government’s claim of a “drug-free Punjab”.
“Sangrur has witnessed one disturbing incident after another. How many more warnings does the @AAPPunjab government need before it takes the drug menace and the safety of those opposing it seriously?” he asked.
Punjab AAP president and cabinet minister Aman Arora hit back, saying the opposition is doing “low-level politics”.
He claimed that on September 7, Singh allegedly abused Namol panchayat members and the sarpanch, following which there was a minor altercation between the two sides.
“Complaints were subsequently filed by both sides at the Cheema police station. That matter is currently under investigation,” he said.
On September 12, Singh threatened to commit suicide if no action was taken against the sarpanch and panchayat members, Arora claimed.
He then questioned the political narrative being built around the incident.
“Now look at the politics that has been going on since yesterday. There are nine cases against Jagga Singh.
“It is extremely shameful for all these parties and all these leaders that without finding out the ground reality, they simply try to defame the Punjab government and us,” the minister said.
He said the Namol panchayat had earlier passed a resolution that drugs would not be allowed to be sold in the village. PTI CHS VSD DIV DIV
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