Laborer Commits Suicide, Names Finance Minister in Dying Declaration

September

2026

The death by suicide of a 53-year-old Dalit (marginalized caste) agricultural laborer, Gulzar Singh of Toor Banjara village, Sangrur district on 8 Sep has led to criticism of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government by Panjab's opposition. On 6 Sep, Panjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema visited a gathering at the village Gurdwara where Gulzar publicly questioned him about the easy availability of chitta (opioid) in the village. Gulzar told the minister that his own son, Prabhjot Singh, was addicted to chitta and could obtain drugs easily. Gulzar was pushed out of the meeting, and later the police dropped him off at home. That evening, the village sarpanch (council head) Baljinder Kaur Sidhu called him and threatened him. On 7 Sep, the village panchayat (council) members visited Gulzar’s home and asked him to apologize to Baljinder's husband, Baljit Singh alias Raj, by touching his feet. Gulzar's wife Pal Kaur said, 'My husband felt very humiliated.' Gulzar’s second son, 23-year-old Sehbaz Singh, a student at Government Ranbir College, Sangrur, said his father left home later that day. Gulzar had consumed a pesticide. He was rushed to Government Hospital, Sangrur from where he was referred to Rajindra Hospital, Patiala where a ventilator could not be arranged for him. Gulzar was then referred to Dayanand Medical College Hospital, Ludhiana where he died. On the way to Ludhiana, Gulzar recorded a video in which he said Cheema was responsible for his death. Police have registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the sarpanch and four others for alleged abetment to suicide, harassment, and offenses under the Scheduled Caste/Scheduled Tribe (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. However, the FIR does not name Cheema. The police forcibly cremated Gulzar under intense security cover. The family has decided not to hold Ardas (final prayers) until justice is served. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken note of the complaint filed by former Punjab State Commission for Scheduled Castes chairman Rajesh Bagha. NHRC has issued notice to the Chief Secretary of Panjab, Director General of Police, Panjab, District Magistrate, and Senior Superintendent of Police, Sangrur, asking them to submit an Action Taken Report. Indian Leader of Opposition (LoP) Rahul Gandhi and Panjab LoP Pratap Singh Bajwa, both from Indian National Congress, have demanded that the Finance Minister resign so an independent and impartial investigation can be conducted (earlier coverage).