In the first week of 2026, Punjab witnessed nine murders, including the killings of three women. The murders have triggered a sharp political debate over the law-and-order situation in the state. The opposition has flagged back-to-back murders as a worrying spike in violent crime in Punjab. However, the Aam Aadmi Party-led (AAP) government and the Punjab Police have maintained that the situation remains under control. The police have categorically said that most of the cases have already been solved.
Police cite crime data, reject allegations
On 6th January, the Director General of Police in Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, and AAP media cell chief Baltej Pannu issued separate statements. They asserted that there was no breakdown of law and order in the state. Police officials said most of the murders were linked to personal enmity, domestic disputes, or old rivalries. The police further stressed that it was not possible to deploy security personnel at every residence.
In his crime analysis of 2025, DGP Yadav had earlier pointed out that the overall crime rate in the state was significantly lower compared to the national average. Citing the latest data from the National Crime Records Bureau, he said that the national crime rate in India stood at 448 incidents per lakh population. However, in Punjab, the crime rate was recorded at 227 per lakh population. Chandigarh’s rate was 338, Haryana’s 340, and Himachal Pradesh, which is often described as a peaceful state, also reported a higher crime rate than Punjab at 267 per lakh population.
Opposition raises alarm
Despite the figures, opposition leaders raised questions over the claims made by the state government. Leader of Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa, Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal, BJP state president Sunil Jakhar, and BJP state working president Ashwani Sharma have all cited the series of murders to accuse Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann-led government of failing to control crime and gangster activities.
AAP sarpanch’s killing fuels political outrage
Among the nine victims of 2026, AAP sarpanch Jarmal Singh, who was gunned down by two armed assailants during a wedding ceremony in Amritsar on 1st January, sparked political outrage. There have been allegations that the state reduced his security cover despite repeated threats from foreign-based gangsters. Family members of Jarmal stated that this was the fourth attempt on his life. On 2nd January, Tarn Taran police shot dead key conspirator Harnoor Singh in an encounter. However, the actual shooters are still at large.
Murders linked to rivalry and political enmity
On 3rd January, Congress leader Umarsir Singh was shot dead in Bhunder Kalan village of Moga district due to political rivalry. Villagers protested by placing his body outside the Dharmkot police station. Police registered a murder case against seven persons, including the local AAP sarpanch and two USA-based NRIs, and have so far arrested two accused.
The same day, migrant worker Kuldeep Kumar’s body was recovered from agricultural fields near a factory in Kapurthala. His father accused a co-worker of murder, leading to the registration of a case under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Women among the victims
Three women were also killed during the week. On 1st January, a woman named Komal was found dead near the Pavaran drain with a syringe lodged in her body. Initially, it was believed to be a case of overdose. However, within 48 hours, Lambra police arrested Razia Sultana alias Rajjo, Deepa, Gurjit Singh Janjua, and Sarabjit Singh for dumping her body. Police stated that she allegedly died following an injection administered for body pain.
On 2nd January, 40-year-old Hempreet Kaur was shot dead inside her house in Seenpura Mohalla of Kapurthala by two armed intruders. They fled after firing in the air. A case was registered under the BNS and the Arms Act.
On 4th January, 18-year-old Chamandeep Kaur was allegedly killed by her father Harpal Singh in Midda village of Muktsar district. He reportedly killed his daughter because she was pursuing studies. A case was filed on the complaint of her mother. Harpal Singh was arrested the following day.
Gang rivalry and youth killing add to unease
On 5th January, Gagandeep Singh, a bouncer from Manuke village, was shot dead due to an old rivalry. Police said in a statement that both the deceased and the main accused had criminal histories and had earlier been booked under the NDPS Act. One accused, Gurdeep Singh, along with six relatives accused of helping the shooters escape, was arrested.
On 7th January, a 19-year-old Jashandeep Singh was beaten to death by unknown assailants at the Budhlada bus stand while he was celebrating his birthday.
While these murders have raised serious concerns about the law and order situation in the state, the police and the state government have maintained that everything is under control. OpIndia recently published a detailed report on rising lawlessness in the state that can be read here.
