Full Breakdown
Police Seize Body of Daljit Singh Amid Mansa Protest Over Drug Crisis
By Drooid · · How we work
In this breakdown
01
The Incident on October 27, 2026
Villagers from Bhamme Kalan tried to bring the body of Daljit Singh, a 35-year-old marginal farmer, to the “Jhota Insaaf” dharna in Mansa. Police blocked the route, seized the coffin and moved the remains to an undisclosed location. SSP Vaibhav Chaudhary said the action followed a tip about a body on the roadside and “some misinformation” about a drug-overdose death. He noted a murder case had been registered and three accused were arrested.
02
Background: Jhota Protest and Punjab’s Drug Crisis
The Mansa protest began after anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was shot on October 13, 2026 while confronting a pharmacist. The incident sparked a 15-day sit-in supported by farmer unions and opposition parties. Punjab’s drug problem, highlighted by the 2024 NCRB data showing the state leading the nation with 6,060 trafficking cases, frames the unrest.
Visual evidence
Images from the story
03
Official Statements & Responses
- Police described Daljit’s death as a “prima facie murder” and said four occupants of a white Swift dumped the body, prompting a case under Sections 302 and 307 IPC.
- DIG Harjeet Singh confirmed a post-mortem was performed at AIIMS Bathinda and the report is awaited. He denied that Daljit’s father, Jarnail Singh, is in police custody.
- The NHRC issued a notice to the Punjab Chief Secretary and DGP, seeking an Action-Taken Report within two weeks.
- Police said “mild force” was used only to maintain order and the family will be allowed last rites after the investigation.
04
Criticism & Opposition
Opposition leaders condemned the seizure.
- Partap Singh Bajwa questioned the government’s handling of the drug menace.
- Sukhbir Singh Badal alleged police used force to block a grieving family while drug trafficking persists.
- Ravneet Singh Bittu called the action “shameful, inhuman.”
- Former CM Charanjit Singh Channi warned the police might attempt to cremate bodies without consent.
05
On-the-Ground Accounts
Daljit’s wife, Paramjit Kaur, said he had been sober for 21 days and likely died after a drug-related encounter. Neighbor Hardev Singh said Jarnail Singh sold land for treatment and police later took Jarnail home, demanding signatures for cremation papers, which the family refused. Protesters Lakha Sidhana and Bhana Sidhu reported detention; Sidhu released a video claiming he escaped custody.
06
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Cause of death: Family cites a heroin overdose; police label it a murder pending forensic results.
- Age: Reports list Daljit as 35 or 34.
- Location of the body: Police say it was moved to an undisclosed site; later statements mention AIIMS Bathinda, but no confirmation.
- Post-mortem outcome: Autopsy report remains pending.
07
Verbatim Quotes
- “We made mild use of force to maintain law and order. If anyone tries to disturb law and order, action will be taken,” — SSP Chaudhary
- “Another young life lost to the drug menace in Punjab. How many more families must suffer before Bhagwant Mann takes responsibility?” — Partap Singh Bajwa
- “They only wanted to take his body to the dharna site, vent their anger and plead for action against peddlers,” — Sukhbir Singh Badal
08
What’s Next
- On October 28, farmer unions and other groups staged protests outside police stations across Punjab, demanding the return of Daljit’s body and release of detained protesters.
- The NHRC’s Action-Taken Report is due within two weeks, and the pending post-mortem will determine the legal classification of Daljit’s death.
- Opposition parties plan further rallies ahead of next year’s state assembly elections, using the incident to critique the AAP government’s anti-drug strategy.