Full Breakdown
Killing of Anti-Drug Activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa: A Deep-Dive
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 13, 2026, anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was shot dead inside a medical store in Mansa, Punjab, while livestreaming a confrontation with the shop’s owner Ashwani Kumar over the alleged sale of addictive drugs to an elderly man. Four companions were injured. Police identified Kumar as the shooter; he fled the scene and was arrested in Rajasthan on October 14, 2026.
Background & Context
Jhota, a former boxer, led the “Force” campaign against illegal sales of pregabalin and tramadol. He previously paraded Kumar with a garland of shoes in July 2023, leading to mutual FIRs. The incident revived scrutiny of Punjab’s anti-drug drive “Yudh Nashean Virudh,” launched by the AAP government under Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Timeline
- October 13, 2026 – Jhota shot dead; video livestreamed.
- October 14, 2026 – Kumar arrested in Salasar, Rajasthan; police deployed forces in Mansa.
- October 15, 2026 – SHO Beant Kaur suspended; demolition of Kumar’s shop and part of his house carried out; mob torches the shop.
Data & Statistics
Punjab police reported, up to October 6, 2026, seizures of 4,198 kg heroin, 1,009 kg opium, 481 quintals poppy husk, 1,750 kg ganja, 65.85 lakh tablets/capsules, 78 kg ICE, 22.58 crore rupees in drug money, 64,598 FIRs and 82,739 arrests.
Why It Matters / Impact
The killing has intensified political pressure on the AAP government ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections, questioning the effectiveness of its anti-drug campaign and exposing perceived law-and-order failures. Protesters have called for a statewide bandh, a CBI probe, and the resignation of Chief Minister Mann and DGP Gaurav Yadav. The incident also highlights the vulnerability of activists confronting entrenched drug networks.
Official Statements & Responses
- Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann pledged “strictest action” and said the police would leave “no stone unturned.”
- Senior Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Choudhary announced a transparent probe and promised arrest of the accused within 24 hours.
- DIG Harjeet Singh (Bathinda Range) reported that the shooter used a licensed weapon and that an associate had been arrested.
Criticism & Opposition
- Nitin Nabin, BJP national president, called the murder “a serious failure of governance.”
- Bikram Singh Majithia, Shiromani Akali Dal, labeled the demolition “eyewash” and said the SHO’s transfer “is admission of guilt.”
- Sukhbir Singh Badal, SAD president, said the drug mafia was “emboldened” and the killing proved “no fear of the law.”
On-the-Ground Reports
Crowds vandalised and set fire to Kumar’s shop. A JCB sent by the administration began demolition, but a mob seized the machine, completed the demolition, and torched the remains. Police deployed heavy forces, and a sit-in protest formed at the civil hospital where Jhota’s body was held. Residents said the demolition compromised the crime scene.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
- Phone-call records: Tribune India reported five calls made by Kumar to family members before the shooting, suggesting he sought “help.”
- Motive: Police point to “personal enmity” from the 2023 clash, while opposition leaders and Jhota’s father allege a drug-mafia conspiracy and political protection. Both narratives remain unverified.
What’s Next
The Punjab government has ordered a CBI inquiry, and the district administration plans further demolition of illegal structures linked to the accused. The suspended SHO faces disciplinary action, and the investigation into the alleged personal rivalry continues. Protest committees have warned of additional bandh calls if demands are not met.