New Delhi, Sep 8 (PTI) The National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) has issued a notice to the Punjab government, seeking a detailed report within five days on the death of a Sangrur resident who had levelled allegations against a minister.
In a statement, the NCSC said Gulzar Singh had questioned Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema regarding the problem of narcotic substances in Punjab. In a video released on social media before his death, he said that he had consumed poison due to fear of the minister and also levelled serious allegations against some members of the village panchayat, it said.
Notices have been issued to the chief secretary and the director general of police, asking them to submit the facts of the case and the action taken on the allegations within five days.
The commission took this action on a complaint filed by Sheetal Angural, former MLA and Punjab president of BJP SC Morcha.
NCSC Chairman Kishor Makwana described the matter as an “extremely serious and sensitive incident”.
He said that the act of a person levelling serious allegations against a Minister and some members of the village panchayat by naming them through a video before his death is an extremely sensitive issue. Therefore, an impartial, independent and high-level inquiry into this matter is necessary, the statement said.
The chairman said that a detailed report has been sought from the Punjab government in this regard. He also announced that he will visit Sangrur on September 10 to ensure a thorough inquiry into the matter and to ascertain the veracity of the allegations.
The drug menace in Punjab was under the spotlight on Tuesday with the opposition taking up the alleged suicide in a big way. Singh, in a purported video, said that the supply of chitta continued unabated and questioned Finance Minister Cheema.
Gulzar (47) died on Monday night after allegedly consuming poison. His family said he had questioned Cheema about the supply of drugs in the area during an event in Dirba on September 6.
His nephew Karanvir Singh said Gulzar was taken outside the venue by some local villagers after he questioned Cheema. He was also allegedly pressured by locals to seek an apology, Karanvir said. PTI KSH MNK MNK
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