Parvinder Singh Jhota Murder Case: Main Accused Ashwani Kumar Arrested in Rajasthan

The main accused in the Parvinder Singh Jhota murder case, Ashwani Kumar, has been arrested from Salasar in Rajasthan. Further details regarding the arrest are awaited.

The killing of 45-year-old anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota in broad daylight on Tuesday was streamed live on Facebook and has triggered protests and political tension in Punjab. Jhota was shot at a chemist’s shop in Mansa on Tuesday morning while allegedly exposing the sale of prohibited intoxicant medicines.

What Happened at the Chemist Shop?

According to Jhota’s family, he received information around 9:15 am that an elderly man had allegedly been sold prohibited intoxicant drugs at a medical store in the city. He went to the shop with his team and began broadcasting live on Facebook using his phone.

The footage reportedly shows Jhota confronting shopkeeper Ashwani Kumar in front of a customer. The exchange became heated. His companions repeatedly called the police, but the family alleged that no one arrived.

About 12 minutes into the livestream, Ashwani Kumar allegedly pulled out a licensed pistol and fired at close range. Jhota sustained three bullet injuries and was taken to Mansa Civil Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Some of his aides were also injured. The accused allegedly shut the shop and fled.

Deputy Inspector General Harjit Singh, who reached the spot, said several special teams had been formed to track down the main accused. He also said one of the accused’s aides had been arrested and his family members detained for questioning.

Police to Examine Previous Dispute and Pistol Licence

Police also referred to an incident from 2023, when Jhota allegedly caught Kumar selling banned capsules, garlanded him with shoes and paraded him through the market. Cross-cases were registered against both sides at the time.

Special DGP Praveen Sinha confirmed that the weapon used in the incident was licensed. He said an inquiry would examine how Kumar obtained the licence. Four cases are registered against Kumar, and he has been acquitted in one of them.

Protests Continue in Mansa, Punjab Bandh Called for October 15

Tension gripped Mansa following the killing. Markets shut down, while an angry crowd ransacked the accused’s shop and threw its stock onto the street. Protesters then began an indefinite sit-in outside the Civil Hospital, which was continuing at the time of writing.

Protesters alleged that drug traffickers operated with police protection and claimed Jhota was killed to prevent him from exposing further alleged illegal activities. They have demanded a CBI investigation into the murder, the resignations of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and DGP Gaurav Yadav, and action against key players in Mansa’s drug trade.

The protesters have refused to cremate Jhota’s body until their demands are met and have called for a Punjab bandh on October 15. Mansa SSP Vaibhav Chaudhary has deployed additional police personnel to maintain law and order.

Jhota’s Family Rejects the Claim of an Old Rivalry

Jhota’s father, who was sitting at the protest site, rejected the police theory of an old rivalry. He said the state government had failed to protect his son and that he now feared for the safety of his grandchildren.

He said he would not perform the last rites until a CBI investigation was ordered and action was taken against the major figures behind the alleged drug trade.

Jhota’s mother recalled that he had touched her feet and asked her to keep his meal ready before leaving home that morning. She said he had been risking his life to help Punjab’s youth overcome drug addiction.