NCB custody death: family seeks CBI inquiry into BSF jawan Jaswinder Singh case

The family of BSF constable Jaswinder Singh, who died after being detained by the Narcotic Control Bureau, has demanded a CBI inquiry, alleging custodial assault. The NCB says his death followed a cardiac event. Singh was detained from Jammu on March 3 in drug-related cases involving heroin and tramadol seizures.

The family of BSF constable Jaswinder Singh demanded a CBI inquiry on Tuesday. The demand followed Jaswinder Singh’s death in NCB custody. The Narcotic Control Bureau said the death resulted from a cardiac event. The family alleged Jaswinder Singh was assaulted while in custody, which led to the death.

Jaswinder Singh was picked up from Jammu on March 3 for questioning in a drug case. Jaswinder Singh later died at Pulse Hospital, Amritsar, on March 20. The NCB said Jaswinder Singh developed chest pain in Amritsar on March 19. The agency said Jaswinder Singh suffered two cardiac events before death.

NCB custody case: What the agency said about arrest and death

In a statement, the NCB said Jaswinder Singh, a resident of RS Pura, Jammu, was arrested on March 3. The Jammu unit made the arrest, the agency said. The case related to the seizure of a commercial quantity of heroin. The NCB said Jaswinder Singh’s brother, Pupinder Singh, was already arrested.

The NCB said Pupinder Singh is a habitual offender. It said six NDPS cases are registered against Pupinder Singh in Punjab and J&K. The agency also said Jaswinder Singh was arrested on March 12. That second arrest was linked to the seizure of a commercial quantity of tramadol.

The NCB said Jaswinder Singh’s custody was extended several times. The agency said the arrest followed evidence from technical analysis. It said the analysis showed contact with smugglers in Pakistan, Punjab, and Jammu. The NCB said Jaswinder Singh was taken to Amritsar on March 19 evening.

The NCB said Jaswinder Singh was admitted to Pulse Hospital, Amritsar, after chest pain. It said the death happened on the morning of March 20. The agency said it followed NHRC and Supreme Court protocol. It said it requested inquest proceedings and a magisterial inquiry.

The NCB, Amritsar, said it sought a post-mortem examination. It also said NHRC was informed through local police. The agency said inquiry and post-mortem reports are awaited. It added that NHRC guidelines are being followed. The NCB framed the death as a medical emergency.

NCB custody case: Family seeks CBI inquiry and meets leaders

At a press conference on Tuesday, the family rejected the NCB’s account. Senior Congress leader Taranjit Singh Tony joined the family. Prominent community leaders also attended, including RTI activist Balvinder Singh. They demanded the case be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation.

"He Singh was a nationalist serving the country in BSF uniform, but the way he was taken from us warrants an impartial CBI probe. We will not rest until justice is delivered,\" Tony said. Tony also said the family will meet Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and Union Home Minister Amit Shah.

Jaswinder Singh’s mother, Gurmeet Kaur, broke down during the press conference. Gurmeet Kaur said the 33-year-old was innocent. Gurmeet Kaur demanded action against those responsible. The family maintained the death followed custodial assault. The NCB has denied that claim.

\"I appeal with folded hands to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union home minister, the chief minister and the lieutenant governor to hand over the case to the CBI. He was innocent and was brutally killed. We want justice,\" Singhs wife said.

Tony also questioned the NCB’s claims about Pupinder Singh. The NCB linked Jaswinder Singh’s arrests to heroin and tramadol seizures. The agency said technical analysis showed contacts with smugglers. The family continued to press for an independent probe. Official inquiry and post-mortem findings are still awaited.

With inputs from PTI