Punjab villager dies by suicide after alleged pressure to apologise to minister
A 46-year-old man in Sangrur took poison and died after he says local leaders forced him to apologise for questioning Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema about synthetic drug use.
Gulzar Singh, 46, from Toor Banjara in the Dirba constituency, died after ingesting aluminium phosphide tablets, saying he was pressured to apologise for confronting Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema about synthetic drug "chitta" in his village. He was moved between Sangrur civil hospital, Government Rajindra Hospital in Patiala, a private Sangrur facility, and finally DMC Hospital in Ludhiana, where he passed away late Monday.
His family claims village panchayat members and other local leaders summoned him that evening and demanded a public apology the next morning. Police say they have arrested four individuals, two of whom are panchayat members, and a case has been filed. Political figures, including Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira and SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia, have demanded an FIR against Minister Cheema, while the minister and other officials have not responded to requests for comment.
Why it matters
The incident raises concerns about political intimidation and drug-related governance in Punjab.
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