Punjab drug crisis: 4 brothers dead, fifth critical in Sultanpur Lodhi; poor parents cry for help; watch

PTC Web Desk: The Punjab Government’s ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’ campaign appears to be falling apart completely. A tragic case from Sultanpur Lodhi in Kapurthala district has sent shockwaves across the state. A couple lost four of its sons to drug abuse while their fifth son is now battling for life in hospital.

The incident triggered protests in the Pandori locality, where residents and the grieving family gathered on Sunday evening, demanding urgent action to curb the rampant drug trade. Locals claimed that nearly 20 young men in the area have died due to drug abuse in recent years.



The couple, Joginder Pal Singh and Manjit Kaur, have faced repeated personal loss over the past decade. Their eldest son, Jaswinder Singh, died around eight years ago due to drug addiction. Another son, Balwinder Singh, passed away a year later under similar circumstances. In 2021, their third son, Ravi, also succumbed to drug abuse; he had earlier been booked under the NDPS Act. The fourth son, Mithun, who too faced a case under the same law, died in 2023. Now, their youngest son, 32-year-old Sonu, is in critical condition and undergoing treatment at a medical college in Amritsar after being referred from the local civil hospital.

Doctors reportedly faced difficulty in administering treatment due to his deteriorated condition, with family members alleging that even basic medical intervention was proving challenging.

Speaking during the protest, Manjit Kaur expressed fear of losing her last surviving son. “I have already lost four sons to drugs. Now my fifth son is fighting for his life. We need help from the government to save him,” she said.

Residents alleged that drug peddlers operate openly in the area. They often arrive on motorcycles with their faces covered and sell narcotics before fleeing. They claimed that illegal substances are being sold even near police stations.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Toora assured that a search operation would be launched across the region to identify and act against those involved in drug supply. He added that efforts would also be made to ensure treatment and rehabilitation for those affected by addiction.

Reacting to this, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Gaurav Toora stated that the district police conducted a detailed and thorough investigation. As per the findings, the deaths of the woman’s four sons occurred over a span of nearly eight years due to different reasons.

The investigation revealed that one son died approximately eight years ago due to a suspected drug overdose. Another son died around seven years ago due to burn injuries, while a third son passed away in jail about seven years ago. He was facing two criminal cases, one of which was registered under the NDPS Act. The fourth son died around two years ago, reportedly due to liver failure caused by prolonged alcohol consumption.

During the course of the investigation, it also came to light that the surviving son is currently suffering from multiple health issues. A case under the NDPS Act was registered against him in 2023, and he was arrested with narcotic substances. He was later convicted by the court on November 29, 2025, in the same case.

SSP Gaurav Toora clarified that the district police are taking strict action against drug traffickers. He emphasised that no recent deaths due to drug abuse have been reported in the area.

In recent days, the police have registered four cases under the NDPS Act in the same locality and arrested active drug traffickers.