Muktsar Sadar police have named Assistant Sub-Inspector (ASI) Gurnam Singh, in-charge of the Ghubaya police post in neighbouring Fazilka district, in connection with the heroin recovery case in which a senior constable posted at the same police post and two other persons were arrested for allegedly possessing 280 gm of heroin near Badhai village on the Jalalabad Road on Saturday night.

The ASI is yet to be arrested and has reportedly been absent from duty since Sunday without informing his seniors.

Meanwhile, the Fazilka district police have handed over the additional charge of the Ghubaya police post to head constable Abhishek Sharma.

Jalalabad DSP Gursewak Singh said, “ASI Gurnam Singh has been absent from duty since Sunday without any intimation. We have given the additional charge of the police post to a head constable and are awaiting formal information regarding his nomination in the case to take further action.”

Both ASI Gurnam Singh and senior constable Joginder Singh have been suspended. “Joginder Singh was suspended immediately after his arrest, while Gurnam Singh was suspended after his alleged involvement surfaced during the investigation,” said Fazilka SSP Gagan Ajit Singh.

The police had recovered 280 gm of heroin from the accused besides seizing a licensed revolver, five live cartridges and a car.

Muktsar SSP Abhimanyu Rana had earlier said that the arrested head constable was among those who had come to sell the heroin. A case under the NDPS Act and the Arms Act was registered at the Muktsar Sadar police station.

The police are investigating the source of the contraband and the possible involvement of other persons linked to the alleged drug trafficking network.