Daljit Singh Death Case: Drug Overdose or Murder?

The death of 35-year-old Daljit Singh in Punjab’s Mansa district has triggered a controversy, with his family alleging that he died of a drug overdose while police have registered a murder case against three people. The incident escalated on Tuesday after police took away his body during a family protest, prompting opposition leaders to question the police response and renew demands for action against the drug supply in Punjab.

Daljit’s family has demanded justice and disputed the circumstances surrounding his death. The case has also become linked to a separate protest by the family of Parvinder Singh Jhota, an anti-drug activist who was shot dead in Mansa town approximately two weeks earlier.

Daljit Singh’s Family Alleges Drug Overdose

Daljit Singh’s sister, Amarjit Kaur, claimed that her brother had no enmity with anyone and allegedly died after going out with someone on Tuesday. Speaking to mediapersons on Wednesday, she said the family believed his death was connected to drug use and called for an end to the supply of drugs in the state.

Amarjit, along with Daljit’s wife, Paramjit Kaur, joined the protest organised by Jhota’s family. She demanded justice for her brother and criticised the police for removing his body while the family was staging a dharna.

Amarjit also said the family had not consented to the cremation when asked about the matter. Her statements reflect the family’s position, while the circumstances and cause of Daljit’s death remain contested in the accounts provided.

Police Register Murder Case Against Three People

A senior police officer told the Press Trust of India (PTI) on Wednesday that a murder case had been registered against three people following a complaint filed by Daljit’s father.

Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Choudhary had said on Tuesday that someone had allegedly thrown Daljit’s body on the roadside. According to PTI, police had rounded up the three main accused in connection with the case.

The registration of a murder case has intensified the dispute over whether Daljit’s death was linked to a drug overdose or involved alleged foul play. The information provided does not establish a final cause of death or the outcome of the investigation.

Police Take Away Body During Family Protest

Tensions rose after Daljit’s family staged a dharna and sought to take his body to a protest in Mansa, where Jhota’s relatives and other demonstrators were demanding justice. Police took away the body during the demonstration, an action that drew criticism from the family and opposition leaders.

After protesters blocked a road, police used mild force, saying that some disruptive elements had joined the gathering and were attempting to disturb law and order.

Videos circulating on social media showed police personnel lifting Daljit’s body, carrying it across a road divider and placing it inside a vehicle. Several opposition leaders shared the visuals while criticising the police response.

Police also detained several protesters, including Waris Punjab De leader Lakha Singh Sidhana and a woman activist. Officials separately told PTI on Wednesday that a first information report (FIR) for attempt to murder had been registered over an alleged attack on a police team during Tuesday’s incident.

Congress Leaders Question Police Investigation

Opposition leaders criticised Punjab Police and the state government over the handling of Daljit’s death and the removal of his body during the protest.

Former Punjab chief minister and Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi joined the protest in Mansa. He alleged that police were portraying the death as a murder so that it would not be recorded as a drug overdose death.

Punjab Congress chief Pargat Singh also questioned how Mansa Police had reached the conclusion that the case involved murder rather than a drug overdose. Speaking to reporters in Chandigarh, he accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of misusing the state police.

Opposition parties, which have repeatedly raised concerns about the alleged drug menace in Punjab, condemned the removal of the body and the treatment of people demanding accountability. Their allegations about the police’s motives have not been independently established in the information available.

Daljit’s Death Becomes Linked to Parvinder Singh Jhota Protest

Daljit’s family joined the protest organised by the relatives of Parvinder Singh Jhota, an anti-drug activist who was shot dead in Mansa town around two weeks earlier.

Jhota’s family has refused to allow a post-mortem examination until its demands are met. These include the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

The two cases have become connected through the families’ protests and their demands for justice and action against the drug supply. Daljit’s relatives are disputing the circumstances of his death, while Jhota’s family continues to seek action over the activist’s killing.

Why the Case Has Sparked a Wider Debate

The controversy has brought renewed attention to concerns about drug availability in Punjab, police accountability and the handling of deaths suspected to be connected to substance use.

Daljit’s family maintains that he may have died from a drug overdose and wants the drug supply stopped. Police, meanwhile, have registered a murder case based on a complaint from his father. Opposition leaders have questioned the speed and handling of the investigation, while police have defended their actions during the protest on law-and-order grounds.

Establishing the cause of Daljit’s death and the circumstances in which he died will be central to resolving the competing claims. The available information does not establish a definitive cause of death or confirm the allegations made by either side.

Key Points

• Daljit Singh, 35, died in Punjab’s Mansa district, prompting his family to allege a possible drug overdose.
• Police registered a murder case against three people following a complaint by Daljit’s father.
• Police took away Daljit’s body during a protest, drawing criticism from his family and opposition leaders.
• Daljit’s family joined the protest over the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota and demanded justice and an end to drug supply.

FAQs

Who was Daljit Singh?

Daljit Singh was a 35-year-old man whose death in Punjab’s Mansa district triggered a dispute between his family, police and opposition leaders over the circumstances of his death.

Did Daljit Singh die of a drug overdose or murder?

Daljit’s sister alleged that he died of a drug overdose, while police registered a murder case against three people following a complaint by his father. The available information does not establish the definitive cause of death.

Why did police take away Daljit Singh’s body?

Police took away Daljit’s body while his family was staging a dharna and attempting to take it to a protest in Mansa. The action triggered criticism from the family and opposition leaders.

What did Congress leaders say about the case?

Congress MP Charanjit Singh Channi alleged that police were portraying the death as murder rather than recording it as a drug overdose. Punjab Congress chief Pargat Singh questioned how police had reached their conclusion so quickly.

Who was Parvinder Singh Jhota?

Parvinder Singh Jhota was an anti-drug activist who was shot dead in Mansa town approximately two weeks before Daljit’s death. His family has been protesting and demanding justice, including the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.