Amit Shah promises CBI probe in 3 Punjab drug murder cases
Synopsis
Home Minister Amit Shah made an unusual field visit to Punjab on Tuesday, personally meeting the families of three men killed for opposing the drug trade. By promising CBI probes in all three cases, Shah effectively challenged the AAP government's handling of drug-related violence — a politically charged move in a state where the narcotics crisis and law-and-order failures have become flashpoint issues.
Key Takeaways
Home Minister Amit Shah visited Punjab on 20 October , meeting families of three murdered anti-drug activists.
Shah promised a CBI probe into all three cases — those of Bikramjit Singh (Gurdaspur), Gulzar Singh (Sangrur), and Parvinder Singh Jhota (Mansa).
Families noted that the Punjab Chief Minister had not visited them, while Shah travelled from Delhi to do so.
Shah also pledged to eliminate 'chitta' (heroin) from Punjab, according to the bereaved families.
Senior BJP leaders from Punjab were present at all three meetings, underscoring the political dimension of the visit.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday, 20 October visited Punjab to personally meet the families of three anti-drug activists who were murdered after speaking out against drug trafficking in the state. Shah assured all three families of justice and promised a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into each case — visits that covered Gurdaspur, Sangrur, and Mansa districts.
Gurdaspur: Family of Bikramjit Singh
Shah began the day in Gurdaspur, visiting Mari Pannuan village near Batala, where he met the family of Bikramjit Singh, who was reportedly killed by drug mafia operatives. The meeting lasted approximately 15 minutes, during which Shah conveyed his condolences. The family submitted a memorandum requesting action in the case.
According to family members, Shah assured them that the case would be handed over to the CBI for investigation and that justice would be delivered. Former Punjab BJP president Ashwani Sharma, Vijay Sampla, Fatehjang Bajwa, general secretary Rajesh Bagha, and Batala district president Harsimran Singh Walia were present during the visit.
Sangrur: Family of Gulzar Singh
At around 2:30 pm, Shah arrived at Toor Banjara village in Sangrur, where he met the wife, two sons, and brother of Gulzar Singh. The meeting lasted approximately 10 minutes, with Shah reiterating his assurance of a CBI inquiry.
Also present was Mohanjeet Sheron, who had earlier reportedly faced police action after showing black flags to the Punjab Chief Minister. Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon, former Union minister Som Parkash, Geja Ram Valmiki, Satnam Singh Sandhu, and district BJP president Damanbir Bajwa accompanied Shah.
The bereaved family noted that Shah had pledged to eliminate 'chitta' (heroin) from Punjab. They also pointed out that the Punjab Chief Minister had not visited them to share their grief, while Shah had travelled from Delhi specifically to meet them — a remark that underscores the political dimension of the visit.
Mansa: Family of Parvinder Singh Jhota
At around 3:30 pm, Shah reached Mansa to meet the family of Parvinder Singh Jhota, described as a young social worker who was murdered after raising his voice against the illicit sale of medical drugs. Shah met Jhota's father Bhim Singh, mother Amarjit Kaur, and wife Manpreet Kaur, expressing condolences and assuring them of justice.
Present at the meeting were Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon, former state BJP president Sunil Jakhar, Preneet Kaur, national vice-president Manpreet Singh Badal, and Rajya Sabha member Bikramjit Singh Sahney.
Political Context and Broader Significance
This comes amid growing concern over drug-related violence in Punjab, where activists and ordinary citizens who have spoken out against narcotics networks have allegedly faced lethal reprisals. The state, governed by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has faced sustained criticism over law and order and the drug menace — issues that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has made central to its opposition narrative in the region.
Notably, all three cases involve individuals who were allegedly targeted for opposing drug activity, raising questions about witness and activist protection in the state. A CBI transfer would take the investigations out of state police jurisdiction, a step families and opposition leaders have long demanded. How swiftly the Centre moves to formalise these referrals will be closely watched.
Point of View
And by extension the BJP, as the arbiter of justice in a state governed by a rival party. By promising CBI probes, Shah is effectively signalling that state police cannot be trusted to deliver justice in cases involving the drug mafia, a pointed rebuke of the AAP government. What matters now is whether the CBI referrals are formalised quickly or remain promises made at a grieving family's doorstep. If the cases linger without formal transfer orders, the visit risks being remembered as optics rather than accountability.
NationPress
20 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Amit Shah visit Punjab on 20 October 2026?
Home Minister Amit Shah visited Punjab to personally meet the families of three men — Bikramjit Singh, Gulzar Singh, and Parvinder Singh Jhota — who were murdered after opposing drug-related activities in the state. He expressed condolences and promised CBI investigations into all three cases.
Which cases have been promised a CBI probe by Amit Shah?
Shah promised CBI probes in the murders of Bikramjit Singh in Gurdaspur, Gulzar Singh in Sangrur, and Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa. All three were reportedly killed after raising their voices against drug trafficking or the illicit sale of medical drugs.
What did the families say about the Punjab Chief Minister's response?
The families of the victims noted that the Punjab Chief Minister had not visited them to share their grief, in contrast to Shah, who travelled from Delhi specifically to meet them. This remark highlights the political tension surrounding the cases.
What is 'chitta' and why is it significant in Punjab?
'Chitta' is a local term for heroin and is widely associated with Punjab's drug crisis. Shah reportedly pledged to eliminate chitta from the state, according to the family of Gulzar Singh. The drug has been linked to a significant increase in addiction and related crime across Punjab.
What happens next after Shah's CBI promise?
For the CBI to formally take over the cases, the Centre would need to issue official transfer orders, which have not been announced yet at the time of the visit. The speed with which these referrals are formalised will be a key indicator of whether Shah's assurances translate into action.
