The district police have arrested a man accused of supplying narcotic substances to a youth who died after allegedly overdosing on chitta (synthetic heroin) in Kurukshetra district. The arrest comes amid growing concern over repeated drug-related deaths in the area.
The accused, identified as 27-year-old Manpreet Singh, a resident of Dera Ismailabad, was apprehended by a team from the Ismailabad Police Station. He was produced before a local court and has been sent to judicial custody.
Youth dies after alleged drug injection
According to police, the victim, Lovepreet Singh (26), a resident of Madadoo village in Kurukshetra district, died after injecting chitta into his body. Lovepreet, who worked as a daily wage labourer, reportedly fell critically ill soon after consuming the narcotic substance.
A police spokesperson said that on January 24, Lovepreet’s uncle, Jasmer Singh, submitted a complaint stating that Manpreet Singh had called Lovepreet on January 23 and asked him to meet. The two allegedly went together to an undisclosed location.
Later that evening, Jasmer Singh received information that his nephew’s condition had worsened. When he reached Ismailabad, he found Lovepreet in a severely intoxicated state at a private doctor’s clinic.
Declared dead at district hospital
Given his critical condition, Lovepreet was referred to LNJP District Civil Hospital, Kurukshetra. However, doctors declared him brought dead on arrival.
Based on the uncle’s statement, the police registered a case and initiated an investigation. Acting on the directions of Kurukshetra Superintendent of Police Nitish Aggarwal, a team led by ASI Sujsabir Singh arrested Manpreet Singh on January 25 for allegedly supplying the narcotic substance.
Second overdose death in two months
Police officials said further investigation is underway to trace the source of the drugs and to determine whether more individuals are involved in the supply network.
This incident marks the second death due to drug overdose in Kurukshetra district in the last two months. In December 2025, a youth from Ambala district died of a similar overdose in Ismailabad, following which the alleged supplier was also arrested.