Over 50 youths rescued from illegal rehab centres in Sirsa

In a crackdown on unauthorised de-addiction centres in Sirsa district, the police, CID, and the CM flying squad rescued over 50 youths from two centers operating without licences. The raids were carried out on Thursday in Dabwali and Baragudha areas, revealing shocking stories of abuse, exploitation, and neglect.

The first raid took place at a centre located in a residential colony in Dabawali. The operation, led by inspector Sunaina of the squad, along with Dr Harsimran from the Health Department and Duty Magistrate Vishal Jiyani, exposed that the facility had detained 23 youths, mostly from Punjab, without any legal or medical authorisation.

The centre lacked qualified medical professionals and psychologists. Expired medicines, used syringes, and unsafe conditions were found, posing a severe risk to patients’ health. The operator, Nihal Singh, claimed to offer only counselling.

Sources said each patient’s family was being charged Rs 10,000 to Rs 12,000 per month. The patients were, however, locked inside the compound, and any attempt to escape was met with assault.

Another raid was carried out at a rehab centre in Baragudha village, led by SI Rajesh Kumar, CID officer Naresh and the police. The centre, allegedly run by a group from Punjab, had 31 youths locked in a remote farmhouse. The facility had no licence or basic medical provisions. The conditions were cramped, filthy, and unfit for recovery. As many as 28 victims were from Punjab and three from Haryana.

According to the officials, when they asked for documents, the operators failed to produce any. The team immediately rescued all patients and handed them to their families. Police action has been initiated against operators Jagdeep Singh (two individuals by the same name from different villages in Mansa district), Amandeep Singh, and Sukhbir Singh.

This is not the first time illegal centres have come under the scanner in Sirsa. Officials said such facilities had become hubs of exploitation.

Haryana Tribune