CBI Takes Over Anti-Drug Activist Parvinder Singh Jhota Murder Probe
The CBI has officially started investigating the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa, Punjab. Read more about the high-profile probe.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially stepped in to lead the investigation into the brutal murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota. The premier agency has re-registered the case, signaling a high-stakes effort to uncover the depths of the illicit drug trade in Punjab and its connection to the killing of the 45-year-old activist.
CBI Team Descends on Mansa
A high-level team from the CBI, led by a senior Deputy Inspector General (DIG), arrived at the Mansa Police Station to initiate the handover process. The agency has issued a formal letter to the local police to secure all case records and seizures. To ensure a comprehensive investigation, the CBI is deploying a multi-disciplinary team, including forensic experts and drug controllers, who are expected to arrive in Mansa shortly.
As part of the immediate next steps, the investigative team is scheduled to meet and examine the family of the deceased activist at the Mansa Circuit House.
A Murder Captured on Live Stream
The incident that sparked national outrage occurred on October 13, 2026. Parvinder Singh Jhota was in a Mansa market, where he confronted a chemist, Ashwani Kumar, over the alleged illegal sale of addictive substances to an elderly person. In a chilling turn of events, Jhota was live-streaming the confrontation on Facebook when gunfire erupted.
The shooting resulted in the death of Jhota and left four other people injured. Following the attack, public anger boiled over, leading to arson at the chemist shop and attacks on properties linked to the accused.
The Hunt for the Mastermind
The primary suspect, medical store owner Ashwani Kumar, was eventually tracked down and arrested in Salasar, Rajasthan. The CBI now intends to seek custody of Kumar and other suspects to delve deeper into the network of banned psychotropic substances being sold openly at chemist shops.
Political Firestorm and Central Intervention
The shift to a central probe comes after intense pressure from the victim's family, action committees, and opposition parties. The case became a flashpoint in the ongoing political battle over the drug crisis in Punjab.
Following a visit by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, who met with Jhota's kin on October 20, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann handed the investigation over to the CBI. The move follows sharp allegations from the BJP, which has accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of failing to curb the drug menace. Home Minister Shah specifically alleged that traffickers dealing in 'chitta'—a common term for sedative and addictive substances in the region—have been flourishing under the protection of the state government.