A 35-year-old man whose death sparked protests and a political controversy over Punjab’s drug problem was cremated in his native village of Bhamme Kalan in Mansa district on Thursday, November 5, following directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Daljit Singh, who died on October 27, was laid to rest in the presence of family members and villagers after the court permitted his cremation in his hometown.
His death had triggered allegations of a drug overdose, criticism of the Punjab Police’s handling of the case and renewed political debate over the state’s drug crisis.
Daljit’s body was discovered in a field near Ramanandi village. While his family maintained that he died from a drug overdose, police registered a murder case in connection with his death.
High Court Orders Fresh Post-Mortem Examination
Before the cremation, Daljit’s body was transported from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh, where a second post-mortem examination was conducted on the High Court’s instructions.
An earlier autopsy had been performed at the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Bathinda.
Daljit’s sister had approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking a fresh examination at PGIMER.
On Tuesday, the court directed authorities to conduct the second post-mortem and initially ordered that the cremation take place in Chandigarh in the presence of close family members.
However, following a petition submitted by Daljit’s wife and mother, the court revised its decision on Wednesday, allowing the family to perform his last rites in Bhamme Kalan.
The court also instructed the local administration to ensure adequate security arrangements at the cremation ground.
Protests Erupt Over Police Handling of Case
Daljit’s death prompted demonstrations by family members and supporters who questioned the circumstances surrounding his death and demanded justice.
Protesters had sought permission to transport his body to Mansa, where relatives of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota and other demonstrators were holding protests.
Tensions escalated when protesters blocked a road, prompting police to use what authorities described as mild force to disperse the gathering.
Police claimed that certain individuals had joined the demonstration with the intention of disrupting public order.
Videos circulating on social media showed police personnel carrying Daljit’s body across a road divider before placing it inside a vehicle.
Several Opposition leaders shared the footage and criticized the authorities’ handling of the situation.
The incident intensified scrutiny of the Punjab government’s response to drug-related deaths and its broader efforts to address substance abuse in the state.
Court Bars Political Interference in Cremation
In its revised order, the Punjab and Haryana High Court explicitly prohibited political parties, politicians and outside organizations from participating in or interfering with Daljit’s funeral arrangements.
The restriction applied to representatives of both the ruling party and the Opposition.
The court’s directions were intended to ensure that the cremation proceeded peacefully and in accordance with the family’s wishes.
Daljit’s last rites were subsequently performed in his native village under the arrangements directed by the court.
While the cremation has taken place, questions surrounding the cause of his death remain unresolved.
The family’s allegation of a fatal drug overdose and the police decision to register a murder case have placed the incident at the centre of a wider debate over drug abuse, law enforcement and accountability in Punjab.
