2 Punjab jail officials among 12 arrested after gangster exposes drug racket
A video by an inmate triggered a probe into a drug trafficking network inside Hoshiarpur Central Jail, leading to the arrest of 12 people, including two jail officials. Investigators say the arrests of the jail officials have widened the case.
At least 12 people, including two jail officials, have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a drug trafficking network operating inside Punjab's Hoshiarpur Central Jail after an inmate posted a video claiming supply of narcotics and use of mobile phones inside the prison.
Those arrested have been identified as Additional Superintendent of Jail Harbhajan Singh and Jail Warden Ravinder Singh. Their arrests are part of a wider probe that has so far led to 12 arrests, including inmates and intermediaries linked to the racket.
The case began on June 14 after a video surfaced online showing inmate Manpreet Singh alias Manna making serious allegations about the availability of drugs inside the high-security jail. Following the video's circulation, an FIR was registered and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to investigate the claims.
During the probe, police obtained production warrants for four inmates lodged in Hoshiarpur Central Jail. Their questioning uncovered a well-organised network involved in procuring, smuggling and distributing narcotics within the prison.
According to investigators, accused Harwinder Singh alias Mannu revealed that heroin was sourced from suppliers outside the jail and smuggled into the facility through an established network. The probe also pointed to the alleged role of one Baljinder Singh and other associates in facilitating the supply and sale of drugs among inmates.
Police later arrested Rakesh alias Pehalwan, who was out on parole. Investigators alleged he acted as an intermediary, facilitating communication between inmates and jail officials and routing illegal payments connected to the drug trade.
The investigation also uncovered a financial trail. Police detected suspicious transactions worth nearly Rs 74 lakh deposited over five months into the bank account of the mother of accused, Gurpreet Singh alias Monu. Investigators suspect the funds were linked to proceeds from narcotics trafficking.
According to sources, the two arrested jail officials – Harbhajan Singh and Ravinder Singh – played key roles in the racket. While Harbhajan Singh allegedly accepted bribes in cash, Ravinder Singh is accused of bringing drugs into the prison and helping distribute them among inmates.
India Today TV has learnt that Harbhajan Singh had multiple postings at Hoshiarpur Central Jail – from February 2017 to July 2018, July 2019 to August 2021, and again from July 2024 until his arrest.
Police said the SIT probe is continuing and more arrests cannot be ruled out as investigators seek to identify the full extent of the drug racket and those involved.
At least 12 people, including two jail officials, have been arrested for their alleged involvement in a drug trafficking network operating inside Punjab's Hoshiarpur Central Jail after an inmate posted a video claiming supply of narcotics and use of mobile phones inside the prison.
Those arrested have been identified as Additional Superintendent of Jail Harbhajan Singh and Jail Warden Ravinder Singh. Their arrests are part of a wider probe that has so far led to 12 arrests, including inmates and intermediaries linked to the racket.
The case began on June 14 after a video surfaced online showing inmate Manpreet Singh alias Manna making serious allegations about the availability of drugs inside the high-security jail. Following the video's circulation, an FIR was registered and a Special Investigation Team (SIT) was constituted to investigate the claims.
During the probe, police obtained production warrants for four inmates lodged in Hoshiarpur Central Jail. Their questioning uncovered a well-organised network involved in procuring, smuggling and distributing narcotics within the prison.
According to investigators, accused Harwinder Singh alias Mannu revealed that heroin was sourced from suppliers outside the jail and smuggled into the facility through an established network. The probe also pointed to the alleged role of one Baljinder Singh and other associates in facilitating the supply and sale of drugs among inmates.
Police later arrested Rakesh alias Pehalwan, who was out on parole. Investigators alleged he acted as an intermediary, facilitating communication between inmates and jail officials and routing illegal payments connected to the drug trade.
The investigation also uncovered a financial trail. Police detected suspicious transactions worth nearly Rs 74 lakh deposited over five months into the bank account of the mother of accused, Gurpreet Singh alias Monu. Investigators suspect the funds were linked to proceeds from narcotics trafficking.
According to sources, the two arrested jail officials – Harbhajan Singh and Ravinder Singh – played key roles in the racket. While Harbhajan Singh allegedly accepted bribes in cash, Ravinder Singh is accused of bringing drugs into the prison and helping distribute them among inmates.
India Today TV has learnt that Harbhajan Singh had multiple postings at Hoshiarpur Central Jail – from February 2017 to July 2018, July 2019 to August 2021, and again from July 2024 until his arrest.
Police said the SIT probe is continuing and more arrests cannot be ruled out as investigators seek to identify the full extent of the drug racket and those involved.
