Bathinda police have apprehended an advocate and his associate, alleging they were in possession of significant quantities of illicit substances. The arrests were made near Bhai Ghanaiya Chowk in Bathinda.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the arrested individuals have been identified as Advocate Rohit Bhardwaj, formerly the president of the BJP’s Bathinda district legal cell and a resident of Goniana Road, and his assistant Gurpreet Singh, who resides in Balahar Vinju village.
According to the Bathinda SP (City), Narinder Singh, the duo was found carrying narcotics in quantities deemed commercial. The SP further stated that Gurpreet Singh has a previous case registered against him under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act.
Law enforcement officials suspect that the arrested individuals may be connected to a broader drug trafficking network and are currently conducting in-depth interrogations. A case has been registered at the Thermal police station concerning this incident.
In response to the development, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convener Arvind Kejriwal issued a statement on social media platform X, condemning the BJP and referring to it as the ‘ED party’. He also commended Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann for his administration’s efforts in combating drug abuse.
Varinder Sharma, vice-president of the BJP’s Bathinda district unit, commented on the arrest, noting that Rohit Bhardwaj had served as the party’s legal cell president some years ago but had not been actively involved in party affairs for the past two to three years.
In a separate incident on Sunday night, the Rampura Sadar police arrested two individuals, identified as Balraj Sharma of Phul village and Raj Kumar of Rampura Mandi, along the Bathinda-Barnala Road. The police reported that the two were allegedly transporting 4.1 kilograms of opium concealed in a car.
Authorities stated that both Balraj Sharma and Raj Kumar have prior criminal records and have been previously involved in drug peddling activities. A new case has been filed against them under various sections of the NDPS Act.
The arrests highlight ongoing efforts by the Punjab Police to curb the flow of narcotics within the state. The recovered substances, including methamphetamine, commonly known as ICE, and heroin, represent a significant bust in the region’s drug enforcement operations.
Previous reports from the region have indicated persistent challenges with drug trafficking, prompting increased vigilance and operational mandates for law enforcement agencies. The involvement of individuals with alleged ties to political party structures, even if former members, raises concerns regarding the reach of illicit networks.
The Punjab government has consistently emphasized its zero-tolerance policy towards drugs, allocating resources for intelligence gathering, inter-agency cooperation, and public awareness campaigns. The NDPS Act provides stringent penalties for the possession, sale, and trafficking of controlled substances, with provisions for commercial quantities often leading to lengthy prison sentences.
Investigations into the wider drug network are expected to continue, with authorities seeking to dismantle supply chains and apprehend all individuals involved in the illegal trade. The focus remains on disrupting the accessibility of dangerous substances to communities across the state.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
