Kharar, October 23, 2024 (Yes Punjab News)
In a significant development in Punjab’s ongoing fight against drug trafficking, the state’s Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF) has arrested former MLA Satkar Kaur Gehri and her nephew, Jaskeerat Singh, for attempting to peddle heroin. The duo was apprehended on Wednesday near Sunny Enclave in Kharar, according to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Headquarters Sukhchain Singh Gill.
The Arrest and Seizure
Jaskeerat Singh, a native of Behbal Khurd village in Ferozepur and currently residing at the ex-MLA’s house in Sunny Enclave, was driving the car at the time of the arrest. His aunt, former MLA Satkar Kaur Gehri, who represented the Ferozepur Rural constituency from 2017 to 2022, was seated with him in the car. Police recovered 100 grams of heroin during the initial operation.
Further investigation led police to search Gehri’s residence, where an additional 28 grams of heroin was found, bringing the total to 128 grams. Police also seized Rs 1.56 lakh in cash, believed to be proceeds from drug trafficking, gold ornaments, and several car registration number plates with Haryana and Delhi numbers. Four luxury vehicles, including a Toyota Fortuner, BMW, Hyundai Verna, and Chevrolet, were also impounded during the raid.
How the Operation Unfolded
IGP Sukhchain Singh Gill stated that the ANTF had received reliable intelligence from a source who claimed to have been purchasing drugs from the former MLA. The source provided crucial evidence, including mobile numbers and call recordings, implicating Kaur in drug smuggling activities.
Acting on this information, the ANTF planned a sting operation. A decoy was sent to a predetermined location near a kiosk in Sunny Enclave, where a deal with the ex-MLA had been arranged. As the transaction was being executed, ANTF teams swiftly intervened, arresting both Kaur and Jaskeerat Singh. The two suspects attempted to flee the scene but were unsuccessful. During the operation, one police officer sustained injuries when the accused driver, Jaskeerat, tried to run him over.
Further Investigations and Implications
The subsequent search of Gehri’s residence uncovered additional heroin, cash, and luxury vehicles, suggesting her involvement in broader illicit activities. The discovery of multiple vehicle number plates further points to the extent of the operation.
IGP Gill emphasized that further investigations are underway to establish the backward and forward linkages in the case. Police expect more arrests in the coming days as they delve deeper into the drug network connected to the ex-MLA.
A case (FIR No. 159, dated 23/10/2024) has been registered under Sections 21 and 29 of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act at the Special Task Force (STF) Police Station in SAS Nagar.
MLA’s involvement
This arrest marks a major breakthrough in Punjab’s efforts to curb drug trafficking in the region. The involvement of a former MLA in such activities raises significant concerns about the influence of organized crime in politics and the broader community. As investigations continue, authorities hope to dismantle more networks involved in drug smuggling across the state.
 has arrested former MLA Satkar Kaur Gehri and her nephew, Jaskeerat Singh, for attempting to peddle heroin. The duo was apprehended on Wednesday near Sunny Enclave in Kharar, according to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Headquarters Sukhchain Singh Gill.){kind=link}