On the second consecutive day of its crackdown on illegal de-addiction centres, Malerkotla Police has busted another such centre at village Bijoki Kalan, under Police Station Amargarh. The centre was being run in the name of "Nasha Mukt Samaj Welfare Society," where drug-addicted persons were allegedly kept captive against their will, assaulted and made to perform forced labour.
The accused have been identified as Jatinder Singh, son of Gurmeet Singh, resident of Nushehra, and Hammad Sadiq alias Shikhu, son of Muhammad Sadiq, resident of Kacha Jamalpura, Malerkotla. Accused Jatinder Singh has been arrested.
Sharing details with the media, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Harkamal Preet Singh Khakh said the action was taken under the "Yudh Nashian Virudh" campaign, under the supervision of DSP Amargarh Sh. Sanjeev Kapoor.
On 24.10.2026, a police party led by ASI Balwinder Singh was on patrol near village Bijoki Kalan when it received specific information. The information was that the accused were running an illegal de-addiction centre, where they were picking up drug-addicted persons without their consent and confining them forcibly. Acting promptly, the police raided the premises and rescued 48 persons who were being held captive at the centre.
A case vide FIR No. 352 dated 24.10.2026 has been registered at PS Amargarh under Sections 140(4), 318(4), 336(2), 336(3), 338, 340(2) and 61(2) of the BNS. Efforts are on to arrest the co-accused, and further investigation is underway.
SSP Khakh stated that de-addiction is a matter of medical care and human dignity, and no one will be allowed to turn it into a business of fraud and cruelty. He added that a district-wide drive against illegal centres is underway, and strict action against such establishments will continue.
SSP Khakh appealed to the public to seek treatment only at government hospitals or licensed de-addiction centres. Any information regarding illegal centres or drug-related activity may be shared with the nearest police station, and the identity of the informer will be kept strictly confidential.