Punjab: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has agreed to transfer the investigation into the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), following sustained protests by the victim’s family and supporters in Mansa. The decision comes amid demands for an independent probe and accountability from senior police officials over the killing.
Mann announced the decision on Tuesday, expressing solidarity with Jhota’s father and family. According to the Press Trust of India (PTI), the Chief Minister said the government had accepted the family’s demand for a CBI investigation.
“We stand firmly with the father of Parvinder Singh Jhota and his family. Accepting the demand of the family, we are handing over this case to the CBI,” Mann said in a post in Punjabi on X.
The Chief Minister also reiterated his government’s commitment to tackling drug trafficking in Punjab, saying it would take stringent measures to make the state drug-free.
The announcement follows days of protests in Mansa, where Jhota’s family and supporters have been demanding justice since his death on October 13. The case has also triggered a political controversy in the state, with protesters seeking action against officials responsible for maintaining law and order.
Who was Parvinder Singh Jhota?
Parvinder Singh Jhota was known for speaking out against the alleged illegal sale of addictive substances at chemist shops. His activism focused on the availability of drugs and the need to take action against those suspected of supplying them.
Jhota was shot dead inside a medical store in a busy market in Mansa on October 13. According to the report, the incident occurred after he questioned the shop owner, Ashwani Kumar, over the alleged sale of drugs to an elderly man.
Kumar allegedly opened fire at Jhota during the confrontation. The accused was subsequently taken into custody from Salasar in Rajasthan.
The shooting reportedly took place while Jhota was broadcasting a Facebook Live session, bringing the incident to the attention of viewers and intensifying public concern over the circumstances surrounding his death.
His killing prompted outrage among supporters and organisations working on anti-drug issues. The incident also raised questions about the risks faced by activists who confront suspected illegal drug sales and demand action against alleged offenders.
The allegations surrounding the shooting remain subject to the criminal investigation, and the evidence will need to be assessed through the legal process.
Family’s protest over post-mortem and cremation
Jhota’s family and supporters have maintained their protest in Mansa, demanding justice and a CBI investigation into the killing.
Seven days after the shooting, his post-mortem examination and cremation had reportedly not taken place because the family and supporters refused to allow the last rites until their demands were addressed.
The decision to withhold the last rites became a central part of the protest, drawing attention to the family’s insistence on an investigation they consider independent and credible.
The family’s demand has received support from various organisations and social activists. A joint action committee was formed after the murder to coordinate the campaign and press the government for a CBI probe.
The committee and protesters have argued for an investigation that can establish the circumstances of the killing and determine whether anyone else was involved. Their sustained demonstrations have placed pressure on the state government to respond to the demand.
Mann’s announcement signals the government’s willingness to pursue the transfer, although the formal process and the CBI’s subsequent steps will determine how the investigation proceeds.
Protesters demand action against senior police officials
Apart from demanding a CBI investigation, protesters have called for the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav.
They have also sought the dismissal of the Mansa senior superintendent of police, deputy superintendent of police, station house officer and drug inspector.
These demands reflect the protesters’ concerns about the handling of the case and the wider response to alleged drug-related activity in the district. However, the demands for resignations and dismissals are the protesters’ positions and do not, by themselves, establish wrongdoing by the officials concerned.
The government’s decision to transfer the case to the CBI is expected to be a key issue in discussions between the authorities and the protesting groups. Whether the announcement leads to the withdrawal of the protest will depend on the family’s response and the steps taken to implement the decision.
The case has also brought renewed attention to the broader issue of drug availability in Punjab, where tackling substance abuse and illegal drug distribution remains a major public concern.
Mann reiterates commitment to a drug-free Punjab
In his statement, Mann said the government would not retreat from taking strong measures against drug peddlers.
“We will not back down from whatever drastic steps we have to take to make Punjab drug-free,” he said.
The Chief Minister’s remarks came as the murder investigation became a focus of political debate ahead of the state’s next Assembly elections, which are due early next year, according to the report.
The transfer of the case to the CBI could provide an avenue for an investigation outside the state police machinery. The agency’s involvement, however, will depend on the formal transfer process and the scope of the case referred to it.
An independent investigation may examine the circumstances leading to the shooting, the evidence against the accused and any other relevant leads. The findings will ultimately need to be supported by evidence and handled through the judicial process.
CBI probe expected to become the next key step
The decision to hand over Jhota’s murder case to the CBI follows sustained pressure from his family, supporters and the joint action committee. Their campaign has centred on securing an investigation they believe will deliver justice and establish accountability.
For the family, the immediate question is whether the announced transfer will be implemented promptly and whether the investigation will address their concerns. The reported delay in the post-mortem examination and cremation has further underlined the intensity of their protest.
The case has also placed the Punjab government’s anti-drug campaign under scrutiny, with activists and protesters demanding that action against illegal drug sales be accompanied by accountability when violence occurs.
While Mann has accepted the demand for a CBI probe, the investigation’s outcome remains unknown. The next steps will depend on the formal handover, the agency’s examination of the evidence and the legal proceedings that follow.