Breaking: Former Barnala MC commits suicide
Family alleges harassment over multi-crore colony deal
Kamaljeet Singh Sandhu
Barnala, (Punjab0 June 15, 2026: Former Municipal Councillor Nachhattar Singh, popularly known as Jagga Singh, was found dead at his office in Barnala on Monday morning in an alleged suicide case linked to a dispute over a multi-crore real estate deal.
The 56-year-old leader, a resident of Ramgarhia Road, was reportedly found hanging from a ceiling fan at his office. Police recovered a suicide note from the spot, in which four individuals have allegedly been named.
The incident has sparked outrage among family members and local residents, who have refused to perform the last rites until those named in the suicide note are booked and arrested.
According to family members, the deceased had been under severe mental stress for several months over pending payments related to a land transaction in the Anil Enclave Colony project. They alleged that despite the completion of the project and registration of plots over a year ago, payments and commission dues linked to the deal had not been cleared.
The deceased’s brother, Malkit Singh Meeta, and son, Gurjinder Singh, claimed that repeated efforts were made to recover the money, but the payments were allegedly delayed on various pretexts, including a slowdown in the real estate market.
Family members said Jagga Singh had recently travelled to Dhuri in connection with the matter but returned without any resolution. They alleged that the prolonged delay and financial stress deeply affected him.
Speaking to the media, Malkit Singh said the family had noticed no unusual behaviour on Sunday night. According to him, Jagga Singh spent time with family members and his granddaughter before retiring for the night. The family discovered his body early Monday morning.
The family has demanded immediate action against four persons allegedly named in the suicide note and warned that the cremation will not take place until justice is delivered.
The incident drew a large gathering of political leaders and local residents. Representatives from various political parties, including local leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party, Shiromani Akali Dal and Bharatiya Janata Party, visited the family and expressed solidarity with their demand for a fair investigation.
Confirming the development, Barnala SHO Lakhwinder Singh said police received information about the incident early Monday morning and immediately reached the spot.
“The initial investigation suggests that the matter is linked to a land deal and commission-related payments connected with Anil Enclave Colony. The body has been kept at the Civil Hospital mortuary, and further action is being taken on the basis of statements recorded from family members and the suicide note recovered from the scene,” the SHO said.
Police said the investigation is underway and legal action will be taken in accordance with the findings of the probe.