Ramesh, a 32‑year‑old resident of Bathinda’s Paras Ram Nagar, was discovered dead on October 26, 2026, with a syringe still lodged in his right arm in a vacant field by the Dussehra Ground. Police and volunteers from the Naujavan Welfare Society arrived around 8 pm, found the body cold to the touch, and noted the absence of any identification.
The authorities suspect a drug overdose, yet no official cause of death has been confirmed; a motorcycle was parked nearby, and the victim’s pockets yielded no documents. The scene was cleared by investigators, who began a forensic examination.
In a sharp rebuke, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal posted on X that the death underscored Punjab’s “ugly truth” under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and called for immediate action against drug peddlers. He demanded that the AAP government be held accountable for the province’s drug epidemic.
MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal echoed the sentiment, labeling the incident a tragedy that “reflects the fate of Punjab under Guru Dokhi” and urged the government to address the crisis. She highlighted the personal toll, mentioning Ramesh’s mother and wife as victims of a broken system.
The incident has amplified criticism of the AAP administration, with opposition leaders linking drug abuse to alleged corruption and neglect. Police are expected to file a detailed report, and the state legislature may debate measures to curb substance abuse in the coming weeks.