Amit Shah Criticises AAP Government, Demands CBI Probe Into Deaths of Punjab Anti-Drug Activists

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has criticised the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab over the state’s drug problem and called for Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probes into the deaths of people who allegedly opposed drug trafficking. During his visit to Punjab, Shah met the families of three individuals whose deaths have raised concerns about the safety of people speaking out against the illegal drug trade. He questioned the state government’s handling of the issue and demanded independent investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the incidents.

The cases involve Parvinder Singh Jhota, Bikramjit Singh and Gulzar Singh. Their deaths have drawn attention to the continuing challenges of drug trafficking in Punjab and prompted demands for accountability from the state administration. Jhota, an anti-drug activist from Mansa, was shot dead inside a medical store on October 13. Reports said he had previously accused the shop owner of selling addictive substances. Following protests and demands from his family, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that the murder investigation would be transferred to the CBI.

Shah welcomed the decision but called for two additional cases to be handed over to the central agency. He said the BJP would approach the courts if the Punjab government failed to agree to the demand. Bikramjit Singh was killed in Gurdaspur district on October 15. While local allegations linked the incident to opposition to drug trafficking, police reportedly described it as a dispute between two groups over a mobile phone. The circumstances and motive require further investigation.

The third case concerns Gulzar Singh, a daily-wage worker from Sangrur district who died by suicide on September 7. His family alleged that he had faced harassment after raising concerns about drugs in the area and questioning state minister Harpal Singh Cheema about the issue. Shah used the cases to target the AAP government’s record on combating narcotics and maintaining law and order. The BJP has made the drug problem a prominent political issue in Punjab and pledged to work towards making the state drug-free by 2029.

The Punjab government’s decision to transfer Jhota’s murder case to the CBI has addressed one of the key demands raised by his family. However, the demand for independent investigations into the other two deaths has intensified the political confrontation between the BJP and AAP. Drug trafficking remains a major concern in Punjab, where authorities face the challenge of disrupting supply networks, prosecuting offenders and addressing the social consequences of substance abuse. The latest developments have also highlighted the importance of protecting people who report suspected illegal activities. The next steps will depend on the state government’s response to the demand for additional CBI investigations and the findings of the ongoing inquiries. The investigations will be crucial in establishing the facts behind the deaths and determining whether any criminal links to anti-drug activities can be substantiated.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from