Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has announced that the murder case of anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota will be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The decision has sparked a sharp political slugfest among the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), and the Congress, ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s upcoming visit to the state.
1. Background of the Incident
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The Victim: Parminder Singh Jhota was a prominent anti-drug activist known for raising his voice against the illegal sale of addictive substances and prescription drugs at local pharmacy shops.
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The Attack: On October 13, 2026, Jhota was shot dead in broad daylight inside a medical store at a busy marketplace in Mansa while recording a Facebook Live session.
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The Accused: The store owner, Ashwani Kumar, allegedly opened fire after Jhota confronted him for selling drugs to an elderly man. Kumar was subsequently apprehended in Rajasthan’s Salasar.
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Protests & Stand-off: Seven days following the murder, Jhota’s family and supporters have refused to conduct his post-mortem or cremation, staging ongoing protests in Mansa to demand absolute justice.
2. Government Action and the Political Flashpoint
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CM Bhagwant Mann’s Announcement: Taking to X, Mann stated that the state government stands firmly with Jhota’s family and has decided to hand the investigation over to the CBI in response to their demands, reiterating his administration’s zero-tolerance stance against drug dealers.
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BJP’s Criticism:
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Union Minister and BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu accused the Mann government of bowing to mounting public pressure and failing to maintain law and order over the past four-and-a-half years.
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Bittu claimed the CBI handover was timed hastily to preempt criticism ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to Punjab.
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Congress’ Response:
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Punjab Congress leader Pargat Singh hit back at the BJP, alleging that the broader narcotics trade has flourished under political and administrative patronage, dragging both central and state entities into a war of words.
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Strategic Implications Ahead of State Polls
With Punjab heading to assembly elections early next year, the Jhota murder case has transformed into a major political battleground. While the CBI probe is meant to address family and public demands for a transparent investigation, the opposition continues to press the ruling administration on accountability, law enforcement, and the ongoing challenge of the state’s drug menace.
