Faridkot police give clean chit to MLA’s aide in drug smuggling case

In a three-month-old drug smuggling and peddling case, the Faridkot police have given a clean chit to Jagmeet Singh, a close aide of a ruling party MLA in this area.

Seeking his discharge, the police moved the court of the Special Judge, Faridkot, stating that a special investigation team (SIT) found Jagmeet Singh, alias Sunny, innocent in the seizure of 310 gm of heroin from the car he was driving.

The case under the NDPS Act was registered on April 28 at the City Faridkot Police station against four persons — Mahakdeep Singh; Harjit Singh, alias Jeeta; Sandeep Singh, alias Sunny; and Jagmeet Singh, alias Sunny. Following an application from Jagmeet’s brother, the SIT re-examined his role.

According to the SIT, Jagmeet had no prior knowledge of the heroin in the car. The report stated that he had agreed to give Sandeep Singh a lift after borrowing the car from an acquaintance, unaware of the activities of the other accused.

The SIT further noted that Jagmeet, employed as a helper at Guru Gobind Singh Medical and Hospital, Faridkot, was undergoing treatment for liver infection and taking regular medication. On the day of the incident, he had gone for haircut when Sandeep persuaded him to drop him at the bus stop. Jagmeet borrowed a Vento car from Shakeel Ahmed, the father of the salon owner, for the trip.

During the journey, two other accused — Mahakdeep Singh and Harjit Singh — joined them. The police said Jagmeet had no knowledge of their intentions. A total of 310 gm of heroin and a weighing scale were seized from the vehicle. Although Jagmeet’s dope test was positive, the Senior Medical Officer of Civil Hospital, Faridkot, stated it could be due to his prescribed medicines.

Based on the SIT’s findings, the DIG, Faridkot Range, ordered Jagmeet Singh’s discharge, and he was officially declared innocent on August 5.