Jagseer Singh Attempts Suicide Outside DC Office Over Alleged Drug Menace Harassment
SANGRUR: Jagseer Singh, alias Jagga, allegedly consumed a poisonous substance outside the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Sangrur on September 20 after claiming he had faced threats and harassment over a video concerning the alleged sale of drugs in his village.
The incident has triggered a political confrontation in Punjab, with opposition parties questioning the Aam Aadmi Party government over its handling of the state’s drug problem. The Sangrur drug menace has also come under renewed scrutiny because the incident occurred in Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s home district.
Singh, a resident of Namol village, was initially taken to a hospital in Sangrur and later referred to Rajindra Hospital in Patiala for further treatment. Police said an investigation was underway.
Jagseer Singh Alleges Threats Over Drug Video
According to The Indian Express, Singh alleged that he had posted a video showing the alleged sale of drugs in his village and subsequently faced threats.
He further alleged that a village sarpanch and associates assaulted him and his family, damaged CCTV cameras at his house and pressured him to remove the video. These allegations have not been independently established, and the police investigation is continuing.
The case has brought the Sangrur drug menace back into the political spotlight, particularly over allegations that complaints about drug activity were not acted upon.
Police said Singh had previously threatened suicide and that a daily diary report had been registered. Sangrur SSP Ravjot Kaur Grewal said his statement would be recorded after doctors permitted investigators to question him.
Punjab AAP Government Faces Opposition Attack
The incident quickly became a political issue, with Congress, BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal leaders attacking the Punjab government.
BJP leader Tarun Chugh questioned the government’s handling of the allegations, while Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa raised questions about the safety of people who speak publicly about drugs.
The opposition has linked the incident to wider concerns over Punjab’s drug problem and questioned the AAP government’s claims regarding its anti-drug campaign.
The Punjab AAP government has rejected the opposition’s framing of the incident. AAP General Secretary Baltej Pannu said Singh had multiple cases registered against him and described him as a drug addict, while saying police were investigating who may have influenced him.
Police Cite Criminal Cases Against Singh
Punjab Police said Singh has nine FIRs registered against him and has been convicted in four cases, according to the latest police account. One of the cases was registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.
The police account differs sharply from Singh’s allegations about the circumstances leading to his suicide attempt. Those allegations, including claims of threats, assault and inaction over alleged drug activity, remain subject to investigation.
The latest episode has intensified scrutiny of the Punjab AAP government and its response to drug-related complaints in Sangrur. Authorities have yet to publicly establish whether the alleged threats or drug activity described by Singh directly caused his suicide attempt.
