Ludhiana: The suspicious death of a 32-year-old hosiery businessman sparked violence in Ludhiana’s Old Sabzi Mandi area Thursday, with an angry mob attacking a chemist shop amid allegations that the victim had consumed prohibited intoxicant medicines bought from the store.The deceased, Sahil Thakur alias Sampi, a resident of Karabara, had allegedly bought medicine from a medical store in the area before returning to his factory, where he suddenly collapsed. He was rushed to a hospital, where doctors declared him brought dead.His relatives alleged that he had been supplied prohibited medicine by the chemist and that consumption of the intoxicant medicine led to his death. The allegations quickly sparked outrage in the locality, with a large crowd gathering outside the shop.The mob allegedly smashed glass panes, ransacked medicine stocks and assaulted the shop owner, Jaswinder Kumar, who suffered injuries. Police reached the spot, brought the situation under control and later took the chemist into custody.Jaswinder denied the allegations, claiming he did not sell any intoxicants and that CCTV footage from the shop would support his version. He also alleged that the deceased had a history of substance abuse. The shop owner further said that the medical store was registered in his wife’s name and that she was away on some work at the time of the incident.He claimed there was no NDPS-related case against him and maintained that the deceased had not purchased any drug from his shop.DCP City Alam Vijay Singh said police have registered a case of culpable homicide not amounting to murder and arrested the accused. He said CCTV footage has been seized and is being verified as part of the probe. Police are also examining the circumstances that led to the death.POLITICAL REACTIONAAP MLA Madan Lal Bagga said strict action would be taken if the accused was found involved in illegal drug trade and confirmed that the chemist had been arrested.Ludhiana MP Raja Warring targeted the Punjab govt, alleging continued failure to tackle the drug menace and demanding accountability over the incident.
