NHRC Seeks Report From Punjab Chief Secretary, DGP in Two Weeks Over Mansa Man's Deathਐੱਨਐੱਚਆਰਸੀ ਨੇ ਮਾਨਸਾ ਨੌਜਵਾਨ ਦੀ ਮੌਤ ਉੱਤੇ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਤੋਂ ਦੋ ਹਫ਼ਤਿਆਂ ਵਿੱਚ ਰਿਪੋਰਟ ਮੰਗੀ

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of a complaint alleging human rights violations linked to the death of Daljit Singh, a resident of Bhamme Kalan village in Punjab's Mansa district, and the alleged use of force against protesters who demanded accountability. A bench presided over by NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo has issued notices to the Punjab Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police, directing them to enquire into the allegations and submit an action taken report within two weeks, Nation Press and Punjab Chronicle reported on Wednesday, 28 October 2026. The commission acted under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993. These are allegations in a complaint; the commission has announced no finding.

What does the complaint allege?

According to the complaint, Daljit Singh, 35, was found dead under suspicious circumstances near Ramanandi village on 27 October, and his family raised concerns about the cause of death, including a suspected link to drugs. Punjab Chronicle described him as a marginal farmer and reported that the family alleged his death was linked to drug consumption and demanded action against those allegedly supplying narcotics in the area. When the family and supporters marched with his body towards the protest site in Mansa linked to slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, police intercepted the procession near Ramdittewala Chowk and took the body into custody, shifting it to AIIMS Bathinda. The complaint alleges that force was used against protesters and several were detained.

The family's allegations go further, according to Nation Press: they say the body was removed from the protest site without their consent, that relatives were pressured to sign documents, that a postmortem was ordered without the family's agreement, and that relatives were taken to separate police stations. Police, for their part, have said the intervention was needed to maintain law and order, and that some protesters allegedly assaulted police personnel. Punjab Chronicle reported that police said preliminary findings pointed towards a possible murder, and that the exact cause of death would be established through the postmortem examination.

Why has Mansa been on edge for two weeks?

The confrontation came after two weeks of agitation in Mansa over the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, who was shot dead on camera in a Mansa market on 13 October. Protesters have kept a sit-in running near the district administration complex, and Daljit Singh's family were trying to carry his body to that protest site when police stopped them on 27 October, seizing the body and detaining farmer leader Lakha Sidhana. Farmer unions protested outside police stations across the district the next day. Opposition leaders have since attacked the Aam Aadmi Party government over the death and the police action, with Congress leader Pargat Singh demanding the dismissal of the local senior superintendent of police and the resignation of the Chief Minister and the DGP.

What happens next?

The Chief Secretary and the DGP must now enquire into the circumstances of Daljit Singh's death and the police action that followed, and send the commission their action taken report within two weeks. The postmortem report is expected to establish the official cause of death and shape the police investigation. The NHRC's next step will depend on what the state reports back. Jugti has covered the earlier stages of this case, including the seizure of the body and the district-wide protests, and will update this story when the state files its report.

What has the NHRC asked Punjab to do?

It has issued notices to the Punjab Chief Secretary and the DGP, asking them to enquire into Daljit Singh's death and the alleged force against protesters and to submit an action taken report within two weeks.

Who was Daljit Singh?

Daljit Singh, 35, was a marginal farmer from Bhamme Kalan village in Mansa district. He was found dead near Ramanandi village on 27 October 2026; his family suspects a drug link, while police say the postmortem will establish the cause.

What do Punjab Police say about the protest?

Police say their intervention was to maintain law and order and that some protesters allegedly assaulted personnel. They say preliminary findings point towards a possible murder and the postmortem will settle the cause of death.