The confrontation stemmed from allegations that police brought Gulzar Singh’s body to the cremation grounds under a heavy security deployment without informing the family or granting them an opportunity to perform customary final rites. Tension erupted at the cremation of 50-year-old Gulzar Singh in Sangrur district after angry family members and local villagers confronted law enforcement authorities.
Vikram Singh, the deceased’s younger brother, confirmed that the family was convinced by official assurances, which included a commitment to provide a government job to a family member. The deadlock was eventually defused after administrative officials held formal talks with the victim’s family. He also clarified that the family had not lodged a direct formal complaint against Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. The controversy surrounding the cremation follows the death by suicide of Gulzar Singh, who reportedly ingested ‘sulphas’ (celphos) poison. Allegations surfaced that Gulzar Singh subsequently faced intense harassment, intimidation, and pressure from local officials to apologise for the confrontation, driving him to take his own life. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring reacted with an X post: “When destruction approaches, those in power lose their sense of right and wrong. What happened to Gulzar Singh is deeply shameful. Punjab Police allegedly carried out his cremation against his family’s wishes and in haste. He was not even allowed to return home one last time, and his family was denied the right to bid him a dignified farewell. Gulzar Singh was denied justice in life, and even in death, his dignity was taken away. This is not just an insult to one family, it is an insult to the humanity of Punjab.”
A resident of Toor Banjara village in minister Cheema’s Dirba assembly constituency, Gulzar Singh had earlier confronted the minister at a village gathering, voicing distress over his son’s drug addiction and raising concerns regarding the unchecked sale of synthetic drugs (“chitta”) in the region.
Investigation Launched into Suicide Case Involving Local Officials
Five individuals are named in a First Information Report (FIR) related to charges of abetment to suicide and harassment. Among the suspects, four have been arrested, including the local village sarpanch and her husband, while one suspect remains at large.
In response to the case, the Punjab government has established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) led by an Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) and senior police officials to ensure a thorough investigation.
Prior to his death, Gulzar Singh recorded a video in which he identified Cheema and the local sarpanch. This video has become a focal point for opposition political parties, who are calling for resignations from those implicated. Police officials, however, have stated they are meticulously reviewing all recorded materials.
DSP Davinder Singh Attari confirmed that the SIT will carefully analyze the video statement as part of their investigation process.
