Punjab Drug Crisis Deepens: Bhagwant Mann and AAP Administration Face Backlash Over Police-Drug Mafia Nexus

A viral video showing an intoxicated woman in Bathinda has reignited intense political backlash against the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab over the state’s escalating drug crisis. Despite repeated pledges by AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, judicial observations and ground realities highlight systemic administrative failure, police collusion with the drug mafia, and rampant illegal trade. The persistence of open drug availability continues to devastate families across the state while political opponents and citizens demand accountability.

By Rakesh Raman
New Delhi | October 3, 2026

BATHINDA / CHANDIGARH — The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has come under intense scrutiny following the widespread circulation of a disturbing video on social media depicting a young woman in an intoxicated, erratic state at Bathinda’s grain market. The incident has reignited a fierce political controversy across the state, exposing the stark divergence between official claims of drug eradication and the harsh realities on the ground.

According to police officials, the woman, who hails from Faridkot, was subsequently admitted to a local de-addiction centre after Bathinda Police intervened and notified her family. However, the visual evidence of drug abuse in a public space has drawn sharp condemnation from political leaders, civil society, and judicial bodies alike.

Judicial Scrutiny and Police-Mafia Collusion

The public outcry follows grave observations made by the Punjab and Haryana High Court regarding the state’s narcotics crisis. The High Court previously highlighted widespread criminal collusion between local law enforcement officers and drug trafficking syndicates.

Judicial reviews revealed that police personnel frequently failed to appear as prosecution witnesses in narcotics cases, prompting the court to observe that elements within the force appeared to be operating hand in glove with illicit drug networks.

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A study conducted by the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) indicated that over three million individuals consume drugs in Punjab. Critics argue that despite these alarming metrics, lethal substances like “chitta” remain openly available across urban and rural localities.

Political Fallout and Opposition Attacks

The viral incident triggered severe criticism from key political figures across Punjab:

• Punjab Congress: Leaders criticized Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, pointing out that public events declaring Punjab “drug-free” under campaigns like “Yudh Nashian Virudh” fail to match ground realities. Congress in-charge Sachin Pilot highlighted multiple incidents, including the forceful eviction of a grieving family seeking justice outside the Civil Hospital in Sangrur, the Chief Minister’s home district.
• Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD): SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal remarked that the Bathinda visuals reflect how deeply drug addiction has penetrated society, failing to spare even young women. Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal noted that unfulfilled promises made by political leaders unfamiliar with local dynamics have exacerbated the crisis.
• Union Government: Union Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing a rally in Jalandhar, accused the AAP administration of permitting the open trade of narcotics to flourish, promising an intense focus on making Punjab drug-free by 2029 if the BJP comes to power in the 2027 state elections.

In response to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s statements, AAP representatives questioned the Centre’s focus and cited joint operations in Gujarat that seized large shipments of illicit drugs, asserting that Punjab has actively disrupted local supply chains.

Failed Guarantees and Governance Deficit

The persisting drug epidemic stands in sharp contrast to the high-profile assurances delivered by AAP leadership. Prior to the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections, AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal famously promised to eradicate the state’s drug problem within three months. In May 2025, Kejriwal announced a “Nasha Mukti Yatra” alongside assertions that extensive treatment infrastructure had been established.

However, political analysts and opposition critics contend that after years of AAP governance, the situation has noticeably worsened. Allegations suggest that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who is himself confronting multiple corruption allegations and governance challenges, has demonstrated reluctance in cracking down on the lucrative drug trade. Critics charge that administrative priorities have shifted toward generating funds for political expansion ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections rather than enforcing law and order.

This report is part of the RMN News Punjab Governance Tracker under the Punjab Elections | RMN Election Hub, providing verified accountability reporting on policy implementation, public grievances, and administrative performance across Punjab.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What caused the recent political debate over the drug crisis in Punjab?

A viral video showing a young woman in an intoxicated state at Bathinda’s grain market triggered widespread public outrage and political criticism against the ruling AAP government’s anti-drug policies.

What did the Punjab and Haryana High Court state regarding the police and drug mafia?

The High Court noted evidence of criminal collusion between police personnel and drug traffickers, highlighting instances where law enforcement officers failed to appear as witnesses in narcotics trials.

How many drug consumers are estimated to be in Punjab?

According to a landmark study by the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), over three million people in Punjab are estimated to consume drugs.

What promises did AAP leadership make regarding drug eradication in Punjab?

AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal pledged before the 2022 elections to eliminate the drug menace in Punjab within three months and later announced a “Nasha Mukti Yatra” in 2025, promises that opposition parties claim remain unfulfilled.

By Rakesh Raman, who is a national award-winning journalist and social activist. He is the founder of a humanitarian organization RMN Foundation which is working in diverse areas to help the disadvantaged and distressed people in the society.