Sukhbir Badal demands FIR against Punjab FM Cheema in Gulzar Singh suicide case
Synopsis
A man who publicly questioned Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema about drug sales at a government event allegedly died by suicide, naming the Minister and others in his dying declaration. SAD chief Sukhbir Badal is now demanding an FIR for abetment of suicide — turning a village-level grievance into a full-blown political confrontation over Punjab's drug crisis.
Key Takeaways
SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal visited Tur Banjara village, Sangrur on Tuesday to meet the family of suicide victim Gulzar Singh .
Badal demanded registration of an abetment of suicide FIR against Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and all others named in Gulzar’s dying declaration.
Gulzar Singh allegedly faced harassment after questioning Cheema about drug sales at a Lok Milni public event.
Badal cited Supreme Court guidelines stating that a dying declaration mandates police action and FIR registration.
The SAD chief also alleged that AAP leaders were protecting the drug mafia and that home delivery of drugs is now taking place in Punjab .
Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) President Sukhbir Singh Badal on Tuesday demanded the registration of an abetment of suicide case against Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema and all others named in the dying declaration of Gulzar Singh, a resident of Tur Banjara village in Sangrur district. Badal visited the deceased's family home to extend his condolences and pledged that the SAD would pursue the matter until those responsible were held accountable.
What Badal Alleged at the Family's Residence
Speaking to reporters after meeting the bereaved family, Badal alleged that Gulzar Singh's only fault was raising the issue of rampant drug sales — locally known as 'chitta' — at a public Lok Milni event addressed by Finance Minister Cheema. According to Badal, Gulzar had been personally affected by the drug menace, with his own son reportedly having fallen into addiction.
Badal alleged that after Gulzar publicly questioned the Minister about drug trafficking in his village, associates of the Minister in the area began harassing and pressuring him to retract his statement and apologise. Unable to bear the pressure, Gulzar Singh allegedly took his own life, naming those responsible in a dying declaration.
Badal Invokes Supreme Court Guidelines on Dying Declarations
Citing Supreme Court precedent, Badal argued that a dying declaration carries sacrosanct legal weight and mandates police action. “Supreme Court guidelines are also clear. A case has to be registered in case of a dying declaration. An FIR should be registered against the Finance Minister and all others named by Gulzar. The police should not try to protect the culprits,” he said.
Badal warned that the SAD would not relent until Cheema was arrested and prosecuted, describing the Minister’s alleged role as a ‘crime’ that warranted immediate police attention.
Drug Menace Allegations Against the AAP Government
The SAD chief used the occasion to mount a broader attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led state government, alleging that the drug menace in Punjab had ‘crossed all boundaries.’ He claimed that home delivery of drugs was now taking place openly across the state.
“AAP leaders were patronising the drug mafia and protecting them against police action in lieu of monthlies,” Badal alleged, adding that drug addiction and overdose deaths were rising as a direct consequence. These are opposition claims and have not been independently verified or confirmed by the state government.
Political Context and What Comes Next
This incident comes amid a sustained opposition offensive against the AAP government in Punjab over its handling of the drug crisis — a central campaign issue since the party swept to power in 2022. The SAD has repeatedly accused the ruling dispensation of failing to deliver on its flagship promise of eliminating drug trafficking in the state.
Notably, no response from Finance Minister Cheema or the Punjab government was immediately available. Whether the police register an FIR based on the dying declaration — and against whom — will determine the next phase of this politically charged case. Legal observers note that courts have historically treated dying declarations as admissible and compelling evidence, though the evidentiary threshold for abetment charges remains high.
Point of View
In public? Badal’s demand for an FIR is legally grounded — courts do treat dying declarations seriously — but the timing and forum also serve clear electoral purposes for an SAD rebuilding after its 2022 collapse. The more uncomfortable question mainstream coverage is sidestepping is why, if home delivery of drugs is as widespread as the opposition claims, police data on seizures and arrests has not reflected a proportionate surge. The AAP government’s silence on this specific case, rather than a blanket rebuttal, will itself become a political fact.
NationPress
9 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Gulzar Singh suicide case in Punjab?
Gulzar Singh, a resident of Tur Banjara village in Sangrur district, allegedly died by suicide after reportedly being harassed for publicly questioning Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema about drug sales at a Lok Milni event. He reportedly named the Minister and others in a dying declaration before his death.
Why is Sukhbir Badal demanding an FIR against Harpal Singh Cheema?
SAD President Sukhbir Badal argues that Gulzar Singh’s dying declaration legally obligates the police to register an abetment of suicide case against all persons named, including Finance Minister Cheema. He cited Supreme Court guidelines that treat dying declarations as sacrosanct and requiring police action.
What did Gulzar Singh allegedly do that led to his harassment?
According to Badal, Gulzar Singh raised the issue of rampant drug — specifically 'chitta' — sales in his village at a public Lok Milni event addressed by Finance Minister Cheema. Badal alleged that associates of the Minister then pressured Gulzar to apologise for speaking out, leading to the harassment that preceded his death.
What is the legal significance of a dying declaration in India?
Under Indian law and Supreme Court precedent, a dying declaration — a statement made by a person who subsequently dies — is considered credible evidence and courts have upheld convictions based on it. Badal cited these guidelines to argue that an FIR must be registered against all persons named by Gulzar Singh.
What broader allegations has the SAD made against the AAP government over drugs?
The SAD has alleged that the AAP-led Punjab government has failed to curb the drug menace, with Badal claiming that home delivery of drugs is now taking place in the state and that AAP leaders are allegedly protecting the drug mafia in exchange for payments. These are opposition claims and have not been independently verified.
