Punjab Man Sentenced to Death in Saudi Arabia in Drug Case, Family Appeals for Govt Help
Baljinder Singh, a truck driver from Pathankot, has been sentenced to death by a Saudi Arabian court in a drug trafficking case. His family claims he unknowingly transported narcotics hidden in a medicine parcel handed over by an acquaintance for an ailing parent. Imprisoned for three years, his family has appealed to the MEA and the Punjab government for urgent diplomatic intervention.
A truck driver from Pathankot in Punjab has reportedly been sentenced to death by a Saudi Arabian court in a drug-related case, leaving his family devastated and prompting an urgent plea for intervention from the Indian government. The family of Baljinder Singh, who has been working as a commercial driver in Dubai for approximately a decade, claims he was completely unaware that narcotics were allegedly concealed inside a packet of medicines he was asked to transport across the border.
According to his relatives in Sujanpur, the parcel had been handed to him by an acquaintance who claimed it contained essential medicines for his seriously ill, elderly father, PTC News reported. Following his arrest at the border checkpost nearly three years ago, Baljinder remained in custody until a Saudi court found him guilty of trafficking and handed down the capital sentence. 2 Men From Telangana, Karnataka Detained in Saudi Arabia and Dubai; Families Appeal to MEA.
Punjab Man Sentenced to Death in Saudi Arabia in Drug Case, How He Was Caught
Baljinder's family stated that transporting commercial goods between Dubai and Saudi Arabia was a routine part of his employment. Around three years ago, an acquaintance working in Dubai approached him with a request to carry a parcel into Saudi Arabia, stating it contained medicines for his elderly father.
His father, Jaswinder Singh, stated that his son initially turned down the request twice because he could not verify the contents of the package. However, the acquaintance later showed Baljinder a video of the ailing elderly man pleading for help. Moved by the man's condition, Baljinder agreed to carry the package as a humanitarian gesture. Death Penalty to Indians: 25 Indian Nationals in UAE, 11 in Saudi Arabia Awarded Death Sentence, Judgement Yet To Be Implemented, Government Informs Parliament.Â
The parcel was flagged during security scanning at the Dubai-Saudi Arabia border. A detailed physical inspection led authorities to recover suspected narcotic substances concealed inside the medicine packaging. Saudi border authorities immediately took Baljinder into custody.
Family Rejects Narcotics Charges
Baljinder's family has strongly rejected the trafficking allegations, stating he has no connection to narcotics or any illicit trade. They describe him as an Amritdhari Sikh who strictly follows religious practices and was duped by an associate.
The family maintains that Baljinder was unknowingly trapped in a situation orchestrated by the individual who handed him the parcel and that he acted purely out of goodwill without knowledge of the contraband.
Family Left in Distress Pleads for Diplomatic Action
Residing in Sujanpur, Baljinder's household consists of his elderly parents, his wife, and two young children. As the sole breadwinner, his earnings from Dubai supported the entire family.
Faced with the death sentence, the family has appealed to the Punjab government and the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to intervene through diplomatic and legal channels. They have urged the Indian government to review the case with Saudi authorities, seek a commutation of the death penalty, and secure his safe return home.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 19, 2026 06:42 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
