Punjab FDA officer shot dead: ‘Fought in 1971; the drug mafia killed my daughter’, father grieves

Neha Shoree, daughter of 1971-war veteran Capt. Kailash Kumar Shoree (retd), was shot dead by Balwinder Singh of Morinda, whose drugs licence she had cancelled back in 2009.

5 min readChandigarhUpdated: Mar 31, 2019 06:50 AM IST

Punjab FDA officer shot dead: 'Fought in 1971; the drug mafia killed my daughter', father grieves

Varun Monga at his wife and murdered FDA officer Neha Shoree’s cremation in Chandigarh on Saturday. (Express photo: Jaipal Singh)

A day after Dr Neha Shoree, 36, was shot dead in her office in Kharar of Mohali district, the family of the Punjab Food and Drugs Administration (FDA) officer demanded a high-level independent investigation into what it said was a well-planned murder with links to the state’s drug mafia.

Neha, the daughter of 1971-war veteran Capt. Kailash Kumar Shoree (retd), was shot dead by Balwinder Singh of Morinda, whose drugs licence she had cancelled back in 2009. After killing Neha in cold blood, Singh shot himself when bystanders cornered him and blocked off his escape. Read | Punjab: His licence cancelled, chemist kills drug officer in front of niece

Nishant Shoree, Neha’s elder brother, told The Sunday Express, “The drug mafia active in Punjab is behind the murder of my sister who was an honest officer and never gave in to pressure while discharging her official duties. Balwinder Singh’s drugs licence was cancelled because he was selling unauthorised drugs at his chemist shop. This means he was linked with the drug mafia. The circumstances in which my sister was murdered suggest a deep-rooted conspiracy, beginning with the way in which Balwinder managed to procure an arms licence and purchased a revolver — all this when the Model Code of Conduct was in place.

“At a time when weapon-holders are legally bound to surrender their weapons, Balwinder was roaming free with a revolver, and finally murdered my sister who was sitting in her office in a government building. We demand that an independent investigating agency should hold a high level probe and unearth the conspiracy behind the murder.”

Nishant’s six-year-old daughter Aradhya — Neha’s niece — was sitting next to the slain officer and witnessed the murder. Nishant is an engineer with Infosys in Chandigarh.

Punjab: His licence cancelled, chemist kills drug officer

Neha Shoree worked in the Punjab FDA.

Capt. Shoree (retd), said, “Neha was not comfortable in her job. Sometimes I felt that she was hiding something from us. And whenever I tried to enquire, she avoided my queries. She is a martyr who sacrificed her life in the battle against the drug mafia. Why was my daughter shot dead? It proves she was performing her duty with utmost honesty and did not succumb to any pressure. I participated in the Indo-Pakistan War in 1971 for my country. And today, the drug mafia of this country snatched my daughter from me.”

Capt Shoree served in the Indian Army until 1980, and therafter joined the State Bank of India.

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Mohali Senior Superintendent of Police Harcharan Singh Bhullar said, “Balwinder’s family claims that they were not aware that he possessed a revolver. Since he killed himself, it is not yet known if he acted at somebody’s behest. We are investigating.”

Members of Neha’s family, relatives, and friends expressed outrage over the murder. Senior Advocate of Punjab and Haryana High Court, M L Sarin, an old family friend, said, “It is absolute lawlessness prevailing in Punjab. A man carrying a weapon simply walks into a government building and leaves after shooting a brave woman officer. No doubt, the illegal drug syndicate is one of the reasons behind Neha’s murder.”

Neha’s husband Varun Monga who works in a private bank, was inconsolable. “I need a thorough probe. My wife was innocent, she was gunned down by a criminal,” he said.

Punjab Health Minister Brahm Mohindra visited Neha’s home in Sector 6, Panchkula, Saturday. He promised a thorough probe and told the family that the government would investigate how Balwinder was issued an arms licence.

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“I agree that the manner in which Balwinder managed to procure an arms licence needs to be probed. It certainly needs a high-level inquiry. The victim must and shall get justice,” Mohindra said.

A large number of well-wishers gathered at Manimajra cremation ground in the evening. Shashi Shoree, Neha’s aunt, said: “We do not want our daughters to study and excel in their professional careers. This Beti Bachao Beti Padhao slogan is a farce. Because, when a beti studies, gets a job and works honestly, criminals kill her and get away,” Shashi told reporters at the cremation.

Ropar Deputy Commissioner Dr Sumit Jarangal said, “Police have checked Balwinder Singh’s background. He has no criminal record. He applied for an arms licence in January this year. He was given the date of March 6 for issuing the licence. He was eventually issued the licence on March 8.”

Saurabh Parashar

Saurabh Parashar is an Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, primarily responsible for the publication’s coverage of Himachal Pradesh. He is a seasoned journalist with over 17 years of experience in print media, specializing in crime, legal affairs, and investigative reporting. Professional Background Education: He holds a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from Guru Jambheshwar University of Science & Technology (Hisar) and a Law degree from Himachal Pradesh University (HPU), Shimla. This legal background significantly informs his reporting on complex judicial and administrative matters. Career Path: Before joining The Indian Express in 2017, he spent 12 years with The Times of India. Core Beats: His primary focus is the socio-political landscape of the hill state, with a specific emphasis on the environment, forest conservation, drug menace (specifically "Chitta"), affairs related to tribal and archaeology and the unique challenges of governance in high-altitude regions. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His recent reporting highlights the critical intersection of policy, law, and social safety in Himachal Pradesh: 1. "Himachal’s battle against Chitta: Why the border areas are most vulnerable" (Late 2025): An investigative look at the transit routes from Punjab and the impact on local youth. 2. "Shimla ropeway clears key hurdle as 820 trees face the axe :According to the Forest Survey of India’s 2021 assessment, 47.21 percent of Shimla’s 5,131 sq km geographical area is under forest cover (Nov 17, 2025). 3. "Himachal to handover 2.7427 ha of non-forest land for Shimla Ropeway: Given the land’s non-forest nature, RTDC and the state will not require permission from MoEFCC" (Nov 18, 2025) 4. "How the centuries-old Jodidara tradition is fading in Himachal’s Trans-Giri region: Jodidara: a form of fraternal polyandry—has long been part of Hatti tribal culture in the Trans-Giri region of Himachal Pradesh and adjoining Uttarakhand. It is believed to have evolved to prevent division of ancestral land and maintain unity among brothers in the harsh, mountainous terrain" (Aug 18, 2025) Legal & Agricultural Affairs "Kisan Sabha hails SC’s setting aside Himachal HC order to remove orchards from forest land" (Dec 18, 2025): Covering a major Supreme Court victory for farmers, where a High Court order to remove fruit-bearing apple orchards was overturned. "Himachal Cabinet nod to new tourism policy; focus on home-stays in tribal areas" (Dec 11, 2025): Detailing the legislative push to decentralize tourism and bring economic benefits to Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur. 3. Governance & Environment "Forest rights and development: Why Himachal is seeking more leeway from Centre" (Dec 19, 2025): Reporting on the legal hurdles faced by the state in infrastructure projects due to the Forest Conservation Act. "Cloudbursts and resilience: How Himachal’s remote villages are building back better" (Nov 2025): Following up on the long-term rehabilitation efforts after monsoon-related disasters. Crime especially cyber crimes, crypto currency etc: crypto currency: "Agents in uniform, motivational speeches, lavish parties: How a Himachal crypto con went unnoticed:A serial conman, a ‘Nelson Mandela Nobel Peace Award winner', and retired policemen got together to pull off a Rs 1,740-crore fraud" (Nov 10, 2023) Signature Beats Saurabh is recognized for his tenacious reporting on the state's drug epidemic. His deep familiarity with the topography and tribal culture of Himachal allows him to report from remote locations like Spiti, Pangi, Shillai, which are often overlooked by national media. His legal expertise makes him a primary choice for covering the Himachal Pradesh High Court on issues ranging from local body elections to environmental PILs. X (Twitter): @saurabh_prashar . ... Read More

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