Retired Army Officer Writes to Amit Shah Demanding CBI Investigation into Drug Inspector’s Murder

The father of slain drug inspector Neha Shoree, who was shot dead in her office in Kharar in 2019, has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah seeking a CBI investigation into the case. A copy of the representation has also been sent to the Governor of Punjab.
 

Neha Shoree was killed on March 29, 2019, while on duty at her government office. According to the initial police investigation, the attack was carried out solely by Balwinder Singh due to personal resentment. Investigators stated that Balwinder Singh allegedly held a grudge after his drug licence was cancelled in 2009 and his wife's subsequent application for a new licence was reportedly rejected by the officer. Police had maintained that the accused shot himself at the scene after carrying out the attack.
 

However, the victim's family has strongly disputed the official version of events. In his letter, Captain Kailash Shoree (Retd.) claimed that Balwinder Singh did not die by suicide. Instead, he alleged that the accused was killed at the spot by a hired shooter linked to a drug syndicate in order to prevent the names of other alleged conspirators from emerging.
 

Allegations of Drug Mafia Connection
 

Captain Shoree further alleged that his daughter was targeted because of her firm action against the alleged illegal sale and black marketing of government-supplied medicines, including buprenorphine tablets intended for de-addiction centres.
 

The retired Army officer claimed that her efforts to curb alleged irregularities in the pharmaceutical and drug distribution system may have made her a target of vested interests.
 

Questions Raised Over Arms Licence
 

Highlighting what he described as a major irregularity, Captain Shoree alleged that the attacker received an arms licence during the 2019 Lok Sabha election period, when the Model Code of Conduct was in force and citizens were generally required to deposit their weapons with local police stations.
 

According to him, the issuance of such a licence during that period points to possible involvement or collusion by individuals within regulatory and administrative institutions.
 

Reference to Anti-Drug Activist’s Murder
 

Captain Shoree also referred to the recent killing of anti-drug activist and former serviceman Parvinder Singh Jhota, stating that the incident had once again exposed the alleged influence and reach of the drug mafia in Punjab.
 

He described his daughter as another victim in the fight against the drug menace and noted that she, too, was the daughter of a former serviceman.
 

Allegations Against Police
 

In his representation, Captain Shoree accused local police of repeatedly harassing the family and allegedly threatening to implicate them in false cases for demanding an impartial investigation.
 

He further claimed that during Amit Shah’s recent visit to Mansa, police personnel prevented family members from meeting the Union Home Minister and submitting their memorandum directly.
 

Demand for High-Level Investigation
 

Seeking a comprehensive inquiry, Captain Shoree has requested that the case be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to examine the alleged conspiracy, the circumstances surrounding the issuance of the arms licence during the election period, and the alleged internal drug network.
 

He has also urged the Central Government to direct the Punjab Government to ensure the safety of his family and prevent any form of pressure or coercive action against them while the matter is pursued.