Rahul Gandhi seeks Harpal Cheema's removal, impartial probe in Punjab villager's death

Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, on Wednesday demanded that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann immediately seek the resignation of Finance Minister Harpal Cheema and ensure an independent investigation into the death of a villager who had questioned the minister over the drug trade.

Gulzar Singh, a 47-year-old Dalit daily wager from Dirba in Sangrur district, died on Monday night after allegedly consuming poison. His family said he had questioned Mr. Cheema about the unabated supply of drugs in the area during a public event a day earlier.

In a post on X, Mr. Gandhi alleged that a "dangerous pattern" was emerging under the AAP government in Punjab, where questioning the government's failures invites threats and torture. He said Mr. Singh, who had watched his son fall victim to drugs, asked the Finance Minister why the government had failed to stop the drug trade. Mr. Gandhi claimed that for asking this, Mr. Singh was tortured, humiliated, and pressured to apologise, which drove him to consume poison.

Mr. Gandhi also referred to a recent interaction with a young man, Mohanjeet Singh, who he said was tortured for protesting against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. He stressed that the government's job is to answer the people, not to "trample upon" those who ask questions.

The Congress leader urged the Chief Minister to have Mr. Cheema's name registered in the FIR and to ensure a swift and impartial investigation so that Mr. Singh's family receives justice.

The Congress had on Tuesday already demanded Mr. Cheema's sacking, holding him responsible for the death. The issue has sparked a political row, with the BJP and the Shiromani Akali Dal also targeting the AAP government over the state's drug crisis.

Following a complaint by Mr. Singh's family, five people have been booked under Section 108 (abetment of suicide) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and relevant provisions of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act.

A purported video of Mr. Singh's last moments, which has gone viral, shows him asking Mr. Cheema about drug availability in his area and stating that the sarpanch would be responsible for his death. The state government is also facing criticism over the alleged custodial torture of another villager from Sangrur who had raised slogans against the government on the issue of drug abuse.