Punjab Police ASI suspended after CCTV footage shows him planting heroin at religious leader's home

  Khanna SSP Dr Darpan Ahluwalia has suspended ASI Sukhdev Singh, who was posted with the CIA staff, and ordered his removal from the case, NDTV reported.

Meanwhile, Mahant Kashmir Giri, who was arrested on drug trafficking charges following the police raid, has been released from the case after the video footage surfaced.

The viral video purportedly shows ASI Sukhdev Singh entering Giri's residence and placing an object under a mattress.

Shortly afterwards, a police team arrived at the religious leader's residence and, following a search, claimed to have recovered around 30 grams of heroin from beneath the mattress. Giri was subsequently arrested.

According to reports, the police raids were conducted after Giri's driver, Gurjant Singh alias Janta, was arrested for allegedly possessing 7.5 grams of heroin.

However, the CCTV footage has raised serious questions about the circumstances surrounding the alleged recovery of the contraband and the subsequent arrest of the religious leader.

The SIT will investigate the authenticity of the viral footage, the alleged involvement of the suspended ASI, the circumstances surrounding the recovery of heroin and the possible role of other police personnel in the operation, media reports said.

Meanwhile, Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal launched a scathing attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab over the incident.

Reacting to the controversy on X, Badal wrote: "Welcome to the AAP model of 'Law & Order'! Khanna Police ASI was caught live on CCTV secretly hiding a packet of drugs under a mattress inside a home!"

He further alleged that the incident exposed the state government's claims of providing good governance.

"@AAPPunjab promised home delivery of services, but who knew it included home-delivered drugs by the Punjab Police to frame citizens? Is this how Punjab Police delivers 'Badlav' under your supervision, Guru Dokhi @BhagwantMann?" he said, targeting Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.