Punjab High Court Demands Update on Gulzar Singh Suicide Investigation

The Punjab and Haryana High Court stepped in on Wednesday, asking the state government to file a status report on the investigation into Gulzar Singh’s suicide. It wasn’t a routine request; the court actually wanted to know what progress has been made, what steps have been taken, and whether any fresh leads have surfaced.

During the hearing of a public‑interest litigation, Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra raised a puzzling question: how could a sitting minister end up as an accused in a case that started with a farmer’s tragic death? The court noted that the village sarpanch and a few local officials have already been charged, but the minister’s name had not yet appeared.

DSP Dirba Rupinder Kaur Bajwa, who is handling the case, echoed the judge’s concerns. “The chief justice has basically said two things – first, submit a status report, and second, make sure the investigation is carried out properly,” she said, her tone a mix of firmness and urgency.

Gulzar Singh, a 38‑year‑old resident of Sangrur and a member of the Valmiki community, died after allegedly being harassed for confronting Minister Cheema over Punjab’s worsening drug problem. According to witnesses, Singh confronted the minister at a public event, demanding action for the drug addiction that had claimed his son’s future. What followed, they say, was a wave of intimidation, mental pressure and demands for a public apology – pressures that many believe pushed Singh to take his own life.

The tragedy has sparked fresh political heat. On Tuesday, senior Congress MLA Pargat Singh lashed out at the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, accusing it of colluding with the BJP and turning the state into a “police state” to silence dissent on the drug issue. Singh reminded the court that the AAP’s promises of eradicating drugs within a few months have not materialised after almost five years in power.

For now, the High Court is waiting on the state’s written report. Once it arrives, the bench will decide whether further directions – perhaps even naming the minister as an accused – are warranted.

Meanwhile, activists and community members continue to demand accountability, insisting that the tragedy of Gulzar Singh should not be forgotten amidst the larger battle against narcotics in Punjab.