Kapurthala, Punjab — A grim wave of suspected drug overdose deaths has cast a shadow over Kapurthala district, with three such fatalities reported in the span of a month. The victims, predominantly poor labourers and farmers, were often allegedly encouraged by friends or relatives before succumbing to potent substances, raising alarms about the deepening drug addiction crisis in the region.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that in at least two of the recent cases, victims were reportedly called from their homes by acquaintances, only to be abandoned in secluded areas, left to face their fate.
The latest individual to fall victim to suspected overdose is Nishan Singh, a 30-year-old father of two from Khukhrain village. Singh, who worked as a dyer and was reportedly addicted to alcohol, had been estranged from his wife and children due to his substance abuse issues. He was found unconscious outside the Civil Hospital, Kapurthala, on Saturday. Despite being admitted for treatment, he reportedly fled the hospital after regaining consciousness, only to be brought back later in a critical, unconscious state. He passed away during treatment later that day.
His sister, Sandeep Kaur, was informed of his death by a village resident working as a security guard at the Civil Hospital. Singh’s body was subsequently handed over to his family.
In a separate incident on August 27, the Kapurthala police exhumed the body of Amandeep Singh, a 25-year-old resident of Desal village. Amandeep had been missing since August 14 and is suspected to have died of a drug overdose after allegedly being administered drugs by his friends approximately 14 days prior. According to a complaint filed by his family, the accused reportedly abandoned him and buried his body in a field the following day. The Kapurthala police have arrested two individuals in connection with this case and have nominated a third suspect.
A third case, bearing similarities to Amandeep’s, involved the body of 30-year-old Rinku. A native of Talan Tanda village in Hoshiarpur and a resident of Wariana Colony in Jalandhar, Rinku’s body was discovered abandoned in a jungle near Fattu Dhinga Chungi in Kapurthala on July 26. He is also suspected to have succumbed to a drug overdose.
Rinku’s relatives informed the authorities that on July 24, a relative identified as Chinda took Rinku from his home under the pretense of visiting their village. While Chinda returned that evening, Rinku did not. Investigations revealed that both individuals allegedly consumed drugs at a specific location, after which Rinku reportedly fell unconscious. Chinda allegedly abandoned him and fled the scene. Rinku, a worker, was the sole breadwinner for his three daughters.
A case has been registered against Chinda at the Kapurthala City police station under Section 106 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to causing death by negligence.
SSP Kapurthala, Gaurav Toora, commented on the complex nature of drug overdoses, stating, “The drug overdose issue is caused by a very convoluted set of problems. Overdoses are in cases where the victim is in an advanced stage of heroin, or other cocktails, addiction from where there is no coming back, when the preliminary, critical time for treatment is over. Plus, many lethal drug cocktails are being consumed by groups of users, amongst buddies, often indulging in intravenous use. Families are often mute spectators who fail to approach treatment in time.”
Many Overdose Deaths Go Unreported, Warns Health Expert
Dr. Sandeep Bhola, State Programme Officer for Mental Health and De-addiction in Punjab, who also heads the drug de-addiction centre in Kapurthala, highlighted that overdose deaths are a distinct issue from regular drug addiction treatment. He stated that a significant number of overdose fatalities often go unreported to official channels. Many victims are reportedly cremated in haste, driven by fears of social stigma or potential legal entanglements.
“An average of one to two cases are reported per month in Kapurthala. Many seek treatment privately, and private hospitals are not sending us the data,” Dr. Bhola noted, indicating a potential underestimation of the problem.
Elaborating on the dangers, Dr. Bhola explained that during periods of drug shortage in the market, users often resort to consuming dangerous cocktails that can prove lethal. He pointed out that potent substances like fentanyl, which is considerably stronger than heroin, are frequently mixed with other opioids. Without knowledge of safe compositions or appropriate ratios, addicts inadvertently create fatal combinations.
Furthermore, Dr. Bhola added that individuals who relapse into drug use after discontinuing treatment possess a reduced tolerance threshold, making them more vulnerable to fatal overdoses. “Dropout rates among patients undergoing de-addiction treatment currently comprise nearly 25 to 30 per cent in Kapurthala,” he revealed.
❤️ Support Independent Journalism
Your contribution keeps our reporting free, fearless, and accessible to everyone.
Or make a one-time donation
Secure via Razorpay • 12 monthly payments • Cancel anytime before next cycle
(We don't allow anyone to copy content. For Copyright or Use of Content related questions, visit here.)
The Chenab Times News Desk
