Patiala/Sangrur, October 20: Union Home Minister Amit Shah met the family of Gulzar Singh at Toor Banjara village in Sangrur on Tuesday for about 20 minutes and assured them that action would be taken within two to three months against those responsible for his death, irrespective of their political or administrative positions. Shah also examined the representations submitted by the family.

Gulzar Singh (55), a Dalit daily-wage worker, consumed poison on September 7 and died on September 8. His family alleges he was harassed after publicly questioning Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema over illicit drug trafficking; before his death, Gulzar Singh recorded a video naming Cheema and police officials. Toor Banjara falls in the Dirba constituency, which Cheema represents. The family has withheld the immersion of Gulzar Singh's ashes and the bhog ceremony, pending an independent investigation.

The family's statements (reported as their claims): His son Lakhwinder Singh said, "The home minister gave us a full assurance that all those responsible will be put behind bars." He said the family's core demand is strict action against Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, "as my late father clearly named him in his dying video statement", and immediate action against the police officials involved in his harassment, including the CIA in-charge Sandeep Singh, the SHO and the DSP. The family said it has not received the ₹20 lakh compensation announced by the Punjab government, and Lakhwinder said Shah promised central assistance, legal aid and financial support. Another son, Shehbaz, claimed the FIR includes five names but the police did not include Cheema's name, even though his father had named him in the video. BJP Sangrur district president Damanjit Kaur Bajwa said Shah told the family: "Preserve his mortal remains until you receive full justice. When justice is served, and you perform the bhog ceremony, I will personally come to attend it."

The other side: Cheema has accused the opposition of "playing politics over bodies" and claims to have evidence countering the allegations. It must be stated clearly that no charge against Cheema or any official has been established — these are the allegations of the family and of the deceased, as reported, and they remain unproven.

According to the Times of India report, Shah also met anti-drug activist Mohanjit Singh Sheron and the family of Sanamdeep Singh of Kanoi village the same day, after earlier meeting the families of Bikramjit Singh in Gurdaspur and Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa.

Sources: Times of India, ANI.