The Ferozepur police have initiated a fresh investigation into allegations against three senior prison officials—an Inspector General (IG)-rank officer and two retired Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs)—concerning a drug racket that operated in the central jail between 2005 and 2012. The probe was triggered after a tip-off led to a police naka near Gharinda, where a woman was intercepted while delivering contraband. Summons were issued to the officials to appear before investigators, but only retired DIG Lakhwinder Singh Jakhar has cooperated so far. The other two officials—retired DIG Sukhdev Singh Saggu and IG (Prisons) Roop Kumar Arora—have not yet appeared.
Allegations of Drug Racket and Suspension
Assistant Superintendent Karamjit Singh Bhullar, who raised the allegations, claimed that the Central Jail superintendents and other officials ran a drug racket during the 2005-2012 period. He stated that the issue was brought to the knowledge of senior officials but no action was taken. Bhullar was subsequently placed under suspension.
"The Punjab and Haryana High Court had issued orders for inquiry against both the DIGs, but they in connivance with Roop Kumar Arora (presently posted as IG Prisons) brushed the matter under the carpet," Bhullar alleged. He added that the officials allegedly misused their powers to run the drug cartel in the jail.
Deaths and Unreported Recoveries
Bhullar further alleged that 64 jail inmates died due to their dependence on drugs during that period. He said he possessed a list of 256 cases in which intoxicating material was recovered from the jail from 2005 to 2012, but no information was provided to the police station concerned. The deaths and recoveries were allegedly not reported to maintain the secrecy of the racket.
Police Investigation and Responses
City Police station house officer Sukchain Singh confirmed that only Jakhar and the complainant had joined the probe so far, adding that the matter was being investigated by senior police officials. "Only Jakhar and the complainant have joined the probe. The matter is being investigated by senior officials," Sukchain Singh said. When contacted, Jakhar declined to comment, stating the matter was sub judice. Another official suggested that Bhullar was trying to settle scores by filing false complaints for the action taken against him.
Background of the Case
The fresh probe comes after the ADGP (Prisons) instructed the Ferozepur Senior Superintendent of Police to thoroughly investigate the matter raised by Bhullar in light of a report submitted by the Central Jail authorities. The incidents, though serious, were previously not brought on record. The investigation is ongoing, and police have not yet released any findings.
