AAP Challenges Kapurthala Drug Death Reports, Highlights Complex Family Circumstances
The ruling Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab has strongly countered media narratives suggesting four recent deaths in a single Kapurthala household due to drug abuse. On Monday, the party asserted that a detailed investigation reveals a "very different and more nuanced picture", challenging the portrayal of a sudden tragedy.
Field Verification Uncovers Timeline and Causes of Deaths
Baltej Pannu, state general secretary of AAP Punjab, explained that district police in Kapurthala responded to a woman's alarm about losing four sons to drugs and appealed to save her fifth son. However, thorough field verification indicated these deaths spanned more than eight years and resulted from distinct causes, not a single drug-related incident.
Pannu detailed the cases:
- One son died approximately eight years ago from an alleged drug overdose.
- Another son passed away around seven years ago due to fire and burn injuries.
- The third son died seven years ago in jail, where he faced two criminal cases, including one under the NDPS Act.
- The fourth son succumbed two years ago from liver failure, linked to chronic alcoholism.
Current Status of the Fifth Son and Police Actions
Regarding the woman's fifth son, Pannu noted he suffers from multiple health issues. A case was registered against him under the NDPS Act in 2023 after his arrest with narcotic substances, leading to a conviction in November 2025. He is identified as a drug abuser enrolled at an OOAT centre for de-addiction treatment, receiving medication in March and recently referred to Amritsar for specialised care due to his serious condition.
Pannu emphasized, "No recent drug deaths have been reported in the area. The attempt to portray this as a single, recent drug-related tragedy is misleading and not supported by facts." He highlighted proactive efforts by Punjab Police, including registering four NDPS cases and arresting active drug peddlers in the same mohalla recently.
This clarification aims to provide a factual basis amid sensational reports, underscoring the ongoing challenges with drug abuse and law enforcement responses in Punjab.
