LUDHIANA: In a suspected case of drug overdose, a 35-year-old man was found dead inside his car in Kartar Nagar of Dugri on Thursday night.
The family of
Baljinder Singh, a resident of CRPF Colony, found a syringe inserted in his left arm. Accusing a “pharmacist” of coercing Baljinder to do drugs, they have sought his immediate arrest.
Baljinder’s brother Bhupinder Singh said, “Baljinder started taking drugs three years ago. His friend, a pharmacist whom he addressed as Dr Sahib, supplied the contraband to him. We do not know where he has his chemist shop or if he is actually a pharmacist. Earlier, Dr Sahib would often visit our house to meet Baljinder. His visits became few and far between after Baljinder decided to get rid of the addiction.”
He was admitted to a drug de-addiction centre six months ago. “After quitting the habit, Baljinder avoided Dr Sahib. He started his life afresh and opened the department store. But two days ago Dr Sahib again contacted him.”
His father Jagjeet Singh said, “Baljinder was at his department store in Phase I of Dugri around 8pm on Wednesday when his wife Harmeet Kaur and I, too, joined him. After sometime, Dr Sahib came and took Baljinder along. He said they will be back after 15 minutes.”
When he did not return for long, Harmeet called him up many a time, but got no response.
“When I again phoned him around 10pm, somebody else answered the call. He said Baljinder was lying unconscious in his car near Kartar Nagar. I, along with my father-in-law, rushed to the spot and found a syringe inserted in his left arm,” Harmeet said.
They took Baljinder to a nearby hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.
Bhupinder said, “We suspect Dr Sahib forced Baljinder to take drugs. He has gone into hiding since the incident. His phone is also switched off. He should be arrested immediately.”
Harmeet and Baljinder have a seven-year-old son.
The police are yet to ascertain it to be a
drug overdose death and are waiting for the viscera report.
Additional deputy commissioner of police (II) Surendra Lamba said, “The accused pharmacist has been identified as Parminder Singh Grewal of Bhai Himmat Sigh Nagar, Dugri. We are yet to ascertain if he is a chemist. He has been booked under Section of 304 (punishment for culpable homicide not amounting to murder) of the IPC. A manhunt has been launched to arrest him. The viscera report will make the cause of Baljinder’s death clear.”
Representative image
