NCB joins ‘Insta Queen’ probe

The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has joined the probe in the “Insta Queen” drug case involving Punjab Police constable Amandeep Kaur, who was held with 17.71 gm of heroin recently.

The Amritsar zone of the NCB is looking forward to questioning the constable over the alleged police-drug smuggler nexus in Punjab. Her “flamboyant” lifestyle drew the attention of the investigating agency.

It is being alleged that she could not afford such a lifestyle with her salary.

The NCB is the first central agency to get involved in the probe. On its insistence, the Punjab Police have shared details with the Bureau about the investigation conducted so far.

However, the NCB could not join the custodial interrogation of the accused. Sources said it would have to take her production remand through court. The NCB wants to probe her connections with senior officers.

Already, Assistant Inspector General of Police Raj Jit Singh is on the run for almost three years on the charge of running a nexus with drug smugglers. Another cop, DSP Gursher Singh Sandhu, is on the run after his dismissal, for allegedly being involved in organising an interview of notorious gangster Lawrence Bishnoi from a Punjab jail.

The constable is called “Insta-Queen” as she gained popularity on Instagram for her “flamboyant” lifestyle and social media presence.

On social media, Amandeep Kaur, known as “police_kaurdeep,” had over 37,000 followers and often posted videos in her police uniform, featuring popular Punjabi songs. Her posts included tributes to Sidhu Moosewala, a singer who was tragically killed. Allegations also surfaced about her involvement in drug trafficking, with claims that she used an ambulance to transport heroin. She was arrested on April 3 during the anti-drug operation “Yudh Nasheyan Virudh”, led by the Punjab Police.

Amandeep was arrested near the Badal flyover in Bathinda while driving her SUV. The police, along with the Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), found 17.71 gm of heroin in her vehicle. She was charged under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. Her arrest raised questions about her lifestyle, which included expensive possessions like a house worth Rs 2 crore, luxury cars and high-end accessories.

Punjab