Daljit Singh, whose death sparked protests over drug menace, cremated in Mansa

Daljit Singh, whose death allegedly due to a drug overdose sparked protests and a political controversy over Punjab's drug menace, was cremated at his native village Bhamme Kalan in Mansa district on Thursday following directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

The last rites of the 35-year-old were performed after his mortal remains were brought from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh, where a fresh post-mortem examination was conducted on the court's orders.

Family members and villagers gathered at the cremation ground to pay their last respects amid heightened attention surrounding the case.

Daljit died on October 27, and his body was found in a field near Ramanandi village. While his family alleged that he had died due to a drug overdose, the police registered a murder case in connection with his death.

An earlier post-mortem examination had been conducted at AIIMS Bathinda.

𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗺𝗼𝗱𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Wednesday modified its earlier directions and permitted Daljit's cremation at his native village instead of Chandigarh.

The modification followed a plea filed by his wife and mother, who sought permission to perform his last rites in Mansa.

On Tuesday, the court had directed that a fresh post-mortem examination be conducted at PGIMER Chandigarh and ordered that the cremation take place in Chandigarh in the presence of close family members only.

However, after considering the family's request, the court allowed the body to be taken to Bhamme Kalan and directed the administration to make adequate security arrangements at the cremation ground.

The court also imposed restrictions to prevent political parties and other organisations from interfering with the proceedings.

"As desired by the petitioner, it is made clear that no political party or politician, whether belonging to the ruling party or opposition, or any other group/organization, shall be permitted to participate in or interfere with arrangements for cremation," the court said.

Daljit's sister had earlier approached the High Court seeking a fresh post-mortem examination at PGIMER Chandigarh.

𝗗𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀

Daljit's death had triggered protests in Punjab, with family members and several opposition leaders questioning the circumstances surrounding the incident.

His relatives maintained that he had died of a drug overdose, while the police registered a murder case, bringing the circumstances of his death under scrutiny.

Several opposition leaders criticised the Punjab Police and the state government following the incident, linking it to the wider problem of drug abuse in the state.

Daljit's family members and supporters had earlier staged a dharna demanding that his body be taken to Mansa, where the family of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota and others were holding a separate protest seeking justice.

The demonstrations led to tensions between protesters and the police after a road was blocked.

Police used mild force to disperse the gathering, claiming that several mischievous elements had joined the protest and were attempting to disturb law and order.

𝗣𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗽𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝗱 𝗿𝗼𝘄

The handling of Daljit's body during the police intervention also became a subject of political controversy.

Videos showing police personnel lifting his body, carrying it across a road divider and placing it in a vehicle were widely circulated on social media.

Several opposition leaders shared the visuals on their social media accounts and criticised the police's handling of the situation.

The controversy added to the political exchanges over the circumstances of Daljit's death and the state's response to drug-related incidents.

The High Court's intervention subsequently resulted in a fresh post-mortem examination and directions concerning the arrangements for the last rites.

With the court modifying its earlier order, Daljit's family was able to perform the cremation at his native village on Thursday.

The cause and circumstances of his death remain matters of investigation, with the family's allegation of a drug overdose and the police's registration of a murder case forming separate aspects of the controversy.