Chandigarh: Former Punjab Congress chief Navjot Singh Sidhu made serious allegations on Saturday, claiming that drugs are being sold inside the state's jails. Sidhu asserted that if his claims are proven false, he would willingly step away from politics.

The Congress leader criticized Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for not taking decisive action, stating, "Law and order, drug mafia, jail. The High Court asked for a policy within a week. CM Bhagwant Mann is the Jail Minister. What did he do? Drug tablets are being sold inside the jails. If I am proved a liar, I will leave politics." Sidhu, who had previously spent 10 months in jail following a Supreme Court sentence related to a 1988 road rage case, expressed concern about the alleged drug trade within correctional facilities. He was released before completing his one-year imprisonment term due to good conduct during his incarceration.

These claims from Sidhu emerge shortly after the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) to submit a status report detailing individuals grappling with drug addiction in the two states. Sidhu further criticized the AAP government in Punjab, highlighting concerns about escalating debt and the deteriorating law and order situation. He accused the state government of not utilizing central funds for their intended purposes, resulting in the Union government withholding funds amounting to Rs 8,000 crore for Punjab.

According to the Congress leader, the state government is facing financial constraints to contribute its 40 per cent share in a central scheme, pointing to a broader issue in fund management.

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