Sangrur Drug Row: Opposition leaders target Punjab Govt over Jagga Singh poison incident
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, September 21, 2026: The alleged suicide attempt by a Sangrur man after he raised concerns over the sale of drugs in his village has triggered a fresh political confrontation in Punjab, with Congress and BJP leaders questioning the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government’s handling of the drug menace.
Congress Punjab in-charge and General Secretary Sachin Pilot accused the Punjab government of failing to address concerns raised by people speaking against drugs. Reacting to the Sangrur incident, Pilot alleged that people who raise their voice against the drug problem are being subjected to pressure and attacks.
Pilot also alleged that the state government was attempting to suppress voices critical of its handling of the drug issue. He questioned the AAP government’s earlier promise to eliminate the drug menace within three months and said the issue had exposed the government to political criticism.
Senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa also targeted the Punjab government over the incident, pointing out that Sangrur is the home district of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Bajwa alleged that the man consumed poison after facing threats and assault for speaking about the alleged sale of drugs. He questioned the government's claims regarding a “drug-free Punjab” and asked what action was being taken to protect people who raise concerns about drug-related activities.
BJP leaders also stepped up their criticism of the AAP government.
BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu alleged that Jagseer Singh, alias Jagga, had objected to the alleged sale of drugs in his village and had posted a video raising the issue. Bittu claimed that Jagga subsequently faced threats and pressure and eventually consumed poison outside the Sangrur Deputy Commissioner’s office.
Bittu also alleged that the Punjab Police and local authorities failed to act on Jagga’s complaints. He said the BJP would raise the Punjab drug issue with Union Home Minister Amit Shah and claimed that he would provide data and other information concerning the state’s handling of the issue.
BJP leader Manjinder Singh Sirsa questioned whether the drug network in Punjab was receiving protection from those in power. Referring to the Sangrur incident, Sirsa said people raising their voice against drugs should not have to face such consequences.
BJP leader Vikramjit Singh, meanwhile, said the incident raised questions about whether ordinary people in Punjab could speak openly against the drug trade without fear. He said the BJP stood for action against drugs and accountability in governance.
The political attacks came after Jagseer Singh alias Jagga, a resident of Namol village in Sangrur, allegedly consumed a poisonous substance outside the office of the Sangrur Deputy Commissioner. He was initially taken to a government hospital in Sangrur and later referred to Rajindra Hospital in Patiala.
Jagga had allegedly raised concerns about the sale of drugs, including “chitta”, in his village. According to allegations made by him and his associates, he faced threats after posting a video about the issue.
His friend Manjinder Singh alleged that Jagga possessed footage purportedly showing drug sales and that his family had also faced threats and assault.
Jagga further alleged that village sarpanch Sukhbir Singh and his associates threatened him, and that the sarpanch later came to his house, assaulted him, removed CCTV cameras and the digital video recorder and threatened him with weapons. These allegations are subject to police investigation.
Police have registered a case against the sarpanch, while Sangrur SSP Ravjot Kaur Grewal said the matter was under investigation. She said Jagga’s statement would be recorded once doctors declared him fit to speak.
The police also highlighted Jagga’s criminal record. According to the SSP, nine FIRs have been registered against him, with four resulting in convictions, while he is an undertrial in four other cases. The cases include offences under the Excise and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances laws, besides a rape case.
Police also said a video posted by Jagga on September 12 contained a threat to die by suicide if action was not taken, following which a case was registered.
AAP Punjab General Secretary Baltej Pannu also referred to Jagga’s criminal record and alleged that he was a drug addict. Pannu said the police were investigating whether anyone had instigated him to take the extreme step.
Punjab Cabinet Minister Aman Arora, meanwhile, accused the opposition of using the incident for political purposes. He said the incident was a loss for the family and society but alleged that opposition parties were engaging in “dirty politics” to target Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the AAP government.
The competing claims have turned the Sangrur incident into another political flashpoint over Punjab’s drug problem. While opposition leaders have linked the incident to alleged failures in tackling drugs and protecting complainants, the AAP government and police have highlighted the ongoing investigation and Jagga’s criminal cases.
The allegations made by Jagga, the political parties and other individuals have not been independently established by a court. The police investigation will determine the circumstances leading to the incident and the allegations of threats, assault and police inaction.