A video that surfaced online today showing a Punjab police officer—identified as Pravin Kumar, the gunman of a senior political leader in Hoshiarpur—consuming drugs has reignited concerns over the depth of the drug menace in the state. The footage, now viral, captures Kumar casually seated on a cot, lighting and smoking what appears to be a joint, while another individual films the scene.
The Special Superintendent of Police, Hoshiarpur, confirmed that Kumar was immediately removed from his security posting and reassigned to police lines. Departmental action has been initiated. Following the video's circulation, Kumar’s family admitted him to a de-addiction centre. Police are also investigating how and when the video was shot and who recorded and leaked it.
The state has grappled with rampant drug abuse for nearly two decades, despite successive governments promising reform. The issue remains deeply entrenched, with political blame games continuing to overshadow sustainable solutions.
The state government’s current anti-drug campaign, Yudh Nashian Virudh, has intensified efforts to root out narcotics since March 1. Official figures show:
13,665 FIRs registered
18,424 arrests made
900 kg heroin, 332 kg opium, 13 kg charas, and 6 kg crystal meth seized
₹11.5 crore in drug-related proceeds confiscated
Recent strategies have leaned toward rehabilitation instead of punishment. Over 10,000 drug users have been directed to residential rehab facilities or enrolled in Outpatient Opioid Assisted Treatment (OOAT) clinics, marking a shift to treating addiction as a health issue.
This latest scandal highlights the challenges Punjab faces—not only in policing the streets, but within its own ranks.