The Union Home Ministry has formally sought the Punjab government's response on three recent incidents linked to the state's drug crisis, after Home Minister Amit Shah posted on X questioning the Bhagwant Mann government's handling of the trade. The ministry's letters have gone to the state's chief secretary.

3cases on which the MHA has sought Punjab's response
Aug 10when Punjab shared its Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026–29)
2026–29the period the vision document covers

Case one: the Mansa murder

On October 13, anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota was shot dead in Mansa after confronting a medical-store owner over alleged addictive-substance sales — the killing that shut Punjab down for a day on October 15. It is the first of the three cases Delhi has named.

Case two: the Dirba suicide

In Dirba, Gulzar Singh died by suicide on the night of September 7–8. His family has alleged that he was harassed after he questioned Punjab's Finance Minister, Harpal Singh Cheema, about drugs. Awaaz Punjab states this plainly: the harassment claim is the family's allegation. It has not been established — and it is now one of the questions the state has been formally asked to answer.

Case three: Sri Hargobindpur

On October 15, in Sri Hargobindpur, Bikramjit Singh was hacked to death. He had opposed drug sales in his area — the second man in three days killed, on the reported facts, for standing in the trade's way.

And a document from August

Alongside the three cases, the ministry has sought a progress report on the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026–29), which Punjab shared with the Centre on August 10, 2026. The ask is procedural but pointed: Delhi wants the state to account, in writing, both for three deaths and for the plan it announced to prevent them.

Why this matters

Policing is a state subject. A formal letter from the Home Ministry naming individual cases is not routine correspondence — it puts Punjab's drug record, and three specific deaths, on the Centre's file.

What is solid

  • Amit Shah questioned the Mann government in a post on X
  • The MHA has formally sought Punjab's response, through letters to the chief secretary
  • The three cases named: Jhota (Mansa, Oct 13), Gulzar Singh (Dirba, Sept 7–8), Bikramjit Singh (Sri Hargobindpur, Oct 15)
  • A progress report has been sought on the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026–29), shared Aug 10, 2026

What is only claimed

  • The Dirba family's claim that Gulzar Singh was harassed after questioning Minister Cheema about drugs — an allegation, not an established finding
  • Who bears responsibility in each of the three cases — under investigation and politically disputed