Punjab drug survey report must be made public, says BJP's Sunil Jakhar
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
Former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar on Monday, 26 October demanded that the Punjab government release the findings of its statewide drug survey, alleging that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) had conducted the exercise not to address the state's drug problem but to map the illicit trade commercially — with an alleged intent to seize control of the supply chain.
The Core Allegation
Jakhar, speaking to reporters in Chandigarh, alleged that the survey's true architect was not Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann but AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia, whom he described as the only figures capable of 'hatching up such a sinister plan.' He claimed that ₹250 crore had been spent on the exercise, 28,000 employees deployed, and 65 lakh families subjected to what he called humiliation — yet no public report had emerged. 'Where is the report?' Jakhar demanded.
He argued that had the Chief Minister actually visited villages as promised, residents themselves would have provided a direct account of the ground situation, making the survey unnecessary. Instead, he alleged, the exercise was used to build a detailed commercial blueprint of the drug trade.
The Pharmaceutical Supply Chain Angle
Jakhar connected the survey to a separate allegation involving pharmaceutical drugs. Citing a statement he attributed to the state's Director General of Police that pharmaceutical substances now account for 80 per cent of substance abuse in Punjab, he claimed the government had drawn up a parallel plan to control the pharmaceutical drug supply chain. He further alleged that a drug inspector who had been caught with substantial sums linked to corruption was subsequently reinstated and appointed Drug Controller, effectively bringing that regulatory function under political influence.
The 'Harry' Case and Parole Allegations
In a second set of allegations, Jakhar referred to the seizure of 4 kg of heroin at Nathana police station in 2023, during which an individual identified only as Harry — lodged at Ferozepur jail — emerged as the principal accused. Harry had reportedly been sentenced to 20 years in a widely reported Abohar murder case and faced seven additional cases. Jakhar alleged that in 2024, the state government facilitated Harry's parole through the Fazilka Deputy Commissioner and Senior Superintendent of Police, after which Harry allegedly absconded and reached Dubai. He claimed Harry is now reportedly running drug trafficking and extortion operations from Abohar to Ludhiana, while police have closed his file.
The Anti-Drone Constable and NCB Seizures
Jakhar cited a third link in his chain of allegations — constable Karam Singh, associated with the state's 'Baaz' anti-drone system. He said 25 kg of heroin was recovered from Singh and that the constable had confessed to arranging 24 additional consignments. Jakhar questioned whether Singh had acted alone or whether senior officers were complicit. He also cited seizures by the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) from sarpanches and leaders allegedly linked to AAP in Punjab's border region, arguing that these cases collectively demonstrated that party-connected individuals controlled procurement, transportation and sale of drugs across the state.
Government Yet to Respond
The Punjab government and AAP had not issued an official response to Jakhar's allegations at the time of publication. The BJP leader's charges are part of a sustained political offensive against the ruling party over law and order ahead of future electoral cycles. All allegations made by Jakhar are his own claims and have not been independently verified; NationPress has reached out to the Punjab government for comment. How the ruling party responds — and whether the drug survey report is eventually released — will shape the next phase of this political battle.