Former Enforcement Directorate (ED) Deputy Director Niranjan Singh, who was associated with investigations into Punjab’s drug networks, today joined Shiromani Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) along with ex-DSP Balwinder Singh Sekhon.Addressing the media, Niranjan said the drug menace continued because of an alleged syndicate involving politicians, police officials and organised criminal networks. He blamed both the Centre and the Punjab Government for failing to curb the menace.“The Centre has failed to stop the inflow of narcotics through the International Border, while state agencies have failed to act effectively against major drug traffickers operating within Punjab,” he said.Explaining his decision to join the political outfit, Niranjan said he and Sekhon had individually fought against drugs for years and saw common cause with the party’s leadership.“We have been fighting against the drug menace. Waris Punjab De chief Amritpal Singh also raised the issue of drugs in Punjab. Instead of fighting separately, we felt it was better to join hands,” he said.Niranjan, who is likley to be fielded from the Kartarpur Assembly segment, said Punjab required systemic change and stronger action against corruption, organised crime and drug trafficking.Responding to a question on joining a party led by Amritpal Singh, who is lodged in Dibrugarh jail under preventive detention laws and faces multiple criminal cases, Niranjan said the Constitution must remain supreme.“Anyone who violates the law must face the legal process. It is for the court to decide whether the person has violated the law or not,” he said.When asked about allegations that Waris Punjab De promotes fundamentalist politics, Niranjan said no political organisation could function outside the framework of the Constitution.The former ED officer also criticised what he described as a botched investigation into Punjab’s multi-crore irrigation scam and questioned why several officials had eventually received a clean chit. He blamed SAD, the Congress and AAP for favouring the tainted officials.He condemned the attempt of political interference in the functioning of central investigative agencies.“It is unfortunate that the ED has, to some extent, been misused. During my service, I never allowed the institution to be used for political purposes,” he said.During his tenure, he played a key role in the money laundering probe linked to the multi-crore Jagdish Bhola drug racket and questioned senior politicians under provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.He said he investigated the case against dismissed AIG Raj Jit Singh and his drug nexus, but the Centre took away the file. Raj Jit Singh was declared a proclaimed offender in August 2023.Niranjan’s transfer from Jalandhar to Kolkata in January 2015 became a major controversy. The move was challenged before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which stayed the transfer.Former DSP Sekhon, who recently left the BJP, said he felt out of place in the saffron outfit and had decided to join Waris Punjab De because of its stated commitment to Panthic issues and reform of Sikh institutions.Sekhon criticised the functioning of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) and raised questions over the alleged misuse of SGPC establishments by former SGPC member and SAD leader Amarjit Singh Chawla, who is facing rape charges.Dakha MLA Manpreet Singh Ayali said, “Our primary goal is not merely to contest elections. We want to free the SGPC from the family rule and restore accountability in Sikh institutions.”