The Punjab and Haryana High Court has questioned how Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema could be implicated in a case concerning the death of Gulzar Singh, a Scheduled Caste daily wager from Sangrur, who had allegedly named the Minister in a video statement recorded shortly before his death. The observation was made during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation seeking transfer of the investigation into Singh’s death to the Central Bureau of Investigation or any other independent agency outside the State.
The petitioner’s counsel submitted that although Gulzar Singh had named Cheema in the video statement in connection with the drug menace, the Minister had not been arrayed as an accused in the FIR. The Division Bench, comprising Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor, orally questioned the basis for implicating the Minister, stating that it would not issue notice in the matter.
The Court further directed the State of Punjab to file a status report on the investigation and to ensure that a proper investigation is carried out. The PIL arises out of FIR No. 204 registered at District Sangrur under Section 108 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (corresponding to Section 306 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860), read with Sections 3(1)(r) and 3(1)(s) of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
According to the petition, Gulzar Singh had raised concerns over the availability of synthetic drugs, commonly referred to as ‘chitta’, in his locality. He had questioned State authorities about the source of the drugs and the steps being taken to curb the menace. Shortly before his death, Singh allegedly recorded a video statement in which he attributed responsibility for his death to, among others, Harpal Singh Cheema and certain local political representatives.
The petitioner contended that although the FIR names five accused, the allegations contained in Singh’s video statement—including the reference to a person holding high political office—had neither been incorporated into the investigation nor properly examined. It was argued that this omission gave rise to a reasonable apprehension that the investigation would not inspire confidence if it continued under the administrative control of the State Government.
The Court, while questioning the implication of the Minister, did not pass any order directing the inclusion of Cheema as an accused or the transfer of the investigation at this stage. Instead, it emphasized the need for the State to file a status report and ensure a proper investigation. The matter remains pending for further hearing on the status report to be filed by the State.
Appearances were made by Chanchal K Singla, Senior Advocate and Additional Advocate General Punjab, and Ferry Sofat, Additional Advocate General Punjab, representing the State of Punjab. The petition is titled Ravinder Singh v State of Punjab.