The bench of Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor, hearing a public interest litigation filed by petitioner Ravinder Singh Sampla, demanded that the Punjab government submit a status report on the investigation into the death of Gulzar Singh, a Dalit daily‑wager from Turbanjara village who reportedly ingested poison on September 7. The court also set a follow‑up hearing for October 6 to review the request for a central Bureau of Investigation inquiry.
Gulzar Singh had questioned State Minister Harpal Singh Cheema about the supply of drugs during an event in Dirba the day before his death. His family contends that the minister and his aides harassed him, hurling casteist slurs and threatening him for the scrutiny, a claim that has fueled the opposition’s call for a deeper probe.
Opposition parties—Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal and the BJP—have publicly demanded an independent CBI investigation, arguing that the Punjab Police may not be able to conduct an impartial inquiry. BJP MP Tarun Chugh met the family on September 12 and pledged to approach Union Home Minister Amit Shah to press for a central probe.
Cheema has denied the allegations, accusing the three opposition parties of conspiring to frame him. He said he holds evidence that will be presented once the investigation is complete and praised the public for having access to the family's original statement, which he said had already been released.
The case is registered under section 108 of the Indian Penal Code for abetment of suicide and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Five villagers—Baljit Singh, Sukhdev Singh, Vicky Singh, Gona Singh and Baljinder Kaur—are named as suspects, and a special investigation team of Punjab Police is currently examining the scene.
With the October 6 hearing looming, the government is expected to present its investigation report and any evidence gathered by the special team. Should the court find merit in the opposition’s demand, a CBI probe may be ordered, adding another layer of scrutiny to the case while political pressure mounts for the resignation of Minister Cheema and possible reshuffling within the Bhagwant Mann cabinet.