CBI Steps In: FIR Filed in Anti-Drug Activist Parminder Singh Jhota’s Murder
The CBI has registered an FIR in the murder of anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota. Read about the investigation and the suspects involved.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially taken the reins of the investigation into the brutal killing of Parminder Singh Jhota, a 45-year-old anti-drug activist. The agency registered a First Information Report (FIR) following the murder that took place in Mansa, Punjab, on October 13, 2026.
The Fatal Live-Stream
The circumstances surrounding the death of Parminder Singh Jhota are particularly chilling. The activist was fatally shot while he was live-streaming on Facebook. The incident occurred inside a chemist shop owned by Ashwani Kumar, who has been named as the primary suspect in the CBI's FIR.
The investigation now involves multiple legal charges. The FIR cites violations of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, specifically Sections 103(1), 109, 118(1), 61(2), and 3(5), alongside Sections 25 and 27 of the Arms Act, 1959.
The Manhunt and Arrests
Following the shooting, a manhunt was launched for the primary suspect. Ashwani Kumar was eventually tracked down and apprehended in Salasar, Rajasthan. However, the crackdown did not stop with him; the authorities also arrested his wife, Neelam Rani, and two other accomplices who are accused of helping Kumar evade capture.
A Specialized Task Force on the Ground
To ensure a watertight probe, the CBI has deployed a high-level specialized team to Mansa. Arriving on the night of October 20-21, the team is led by a Deputy Inspector General and includes a diverse group of experts, including:
- Forensic specialists
- Drug controllers
- GST specialists
The team has already requisitioned all physical evidence and case records from the City-2 police station, where the initial case was filed on October 14. Additionally, the CBI is currently recording statements from the victim's family at the Mansa Circuit House.
Political Pressure and State Consent
The transfer of the case to the CBI came after significant pressure from Jhota's family, who had refused to perform the last rites of the deceased until their demands for a central probe were met. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann eventually authorized the transfer.
Clarifying the scope of this move, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated that this transfer is strictly limited to this specific murder case and does not mean the CBI has regained general jurisdiction over all cases in Punjab.
High-Level Intervention
The case has drawn attention at the highest levels of government. Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Mansa on October 20 to meet with the bereaved family. During his visit, the Home Minister promised a comprehensive investigation and further urged the CBI to look into two other deaths linked to anti-drug activism.
Next Steps in the Investigation
As part of the rigorous legal process, a post-mortem examination will be conducted by a panel of experts at the Post-Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh. This process will be overseen by a local magistrate to ensure complete transparency.