A Border Security Force (BSF) constable has died under deeply contentious circumstances while in the custody of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) in Amritsar. According to local police, the health of the deceased, identified as Jaswinder Singh, failed abruptly during a round of questioning. Jagjit Singh, the Station House Officer for Maqboolpura, confirmed that the NCB had brought the soldier in for interrogation regarding an ongoing investigation when the fatal episode reportedly occurred.
The tragedy has sparked a fierce backlash from the Punjab Human Rights Organisation (PHRO), which is now demanding a high-level inquiry into what it categorises as a "serious case of custodial torture." The group has raised several pointed questions regarding the timeline of events, asserting that Jaswinder was originally detained in Jammu and transported to Amritsar without his family being informed of the charges or his whereabouts.
Outside the post-mortem house, the constable’s relatives staged a protest, openly accusing the narcotics team of physical assault. The atmosphere remained charged as the family and activists called for the officer's remains to be returned to his native village with full military honours, alongside a demand for adequate compensation for his dependents.
The PHRO has signalled its intent to take the matter to the Punjab Human Rights Commission to ensure those involved are held accountable. In a stern warning to the government, the organisation stated it is prepared to escalate the case to national and international human rights bodies if a transparent and concrete investigation is not forthcoming.
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