Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh – In a stunning development that has rocked local politics, Sushil Singh, the BJP block chief of Belkharnath in Pratapgarh district, has been exposed as a major player in the drug trade. Singh, who was already under arrest for a shooting incident last month, spilled the beans during a 48-hour police remand, leading to the recovery of banned narcotics and fresh charges against him.
The story began about a month ago when Singh and his accomplices allegedly opened fire on two brothers over a land dispute near the Patti registry office. The victims survived, but the attack drew sharp criticism from opposition parties. Now, things have taken a darker turn. During interrogation, Singh confessed to running a drug smuggling operation that spans Pratapgarh and nearby districts, with links even reaching Maharashtra. Police dug up a pit on his property based on his tip-off and recovered 34.10 grams of prohibited drugs, believed to be MD (methylenedioxymethamphetamine).
Authorities say Singh used his political clout to shield his illegal activities, supplying drugs across the region and amassing wealth in the process. When presented in court on August 22, he was escorted under heavy security – wearing a helmet and bulletproof jacket, surrounded by over 60 cops, including five station in-charges and two circle officers. This level of protection hints at the threats he might face or the enemies he’s made in the underworld.
Opposition leaders are up in arms. The Samajwadi Party slammed the BJP as a “party of goons and mafias,” demanding why Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath’s famous bulldozer hasn’t razed Singh’s properties yet. Congress echoed similar sentiments, calling it shameful and pointing to a nexus between politics and crime in Uttar Pradesh.
Police have also seized a luxury car from Lucknow linked to Singh and are probing his wider network. This case raises tough questions about how such figures rise in politics and what it means for law and order in the state. As investigations continue, ordinary citizens hope for real justice, not just headlines.
