Jhota, who was known for speaking out against drug abuse and the illegal sale of addictive substances at chemist shops, was shot dead in a busy market in Mansa on Tuesday.
Anti-drug activitst Parvinder Singh Jhota was shot dead in Mansa.
Mansa,Oct 13, 2026 22:51 IST
A preliminary investigation into the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Punjab's Mansa has pointed to personal enmity as the motive, a senior police officer said on Tuesday. Police said teams were working to arrest the main accused, Ashwani Kumar, a medical store owner, and Deputy Inspector General of Police Harjeet Singh said he would be arrested within 24 hours.
Jhota, who was known for speaking out against drug abuse and the illegal sale of addictive substances at chemist shops, was shot dead in a busy market in Mansa on Tuesday.
Police said a key associate of the main accused has been arrested, while members of Kumar's family have been detained for questioning.
According to police, Kumar allegedly opened fire at Jhota and his companions after they questioned him for selling addictive drugs to an elderly man.
Speaking to reporters, DIG Singh said, "Police received information about the incident at around 10:30 am today. Preliminary investigation has revealed that Ashwani Kumar, a chemist shop owner, allegedly fired at Parvinder Jhota with his licensed pistol, resulting in his death." He said an FIR has been registered, and several police teams have been formed to apprehend the accused.
The DIG said Kumar's family members had been detained for questioning, while one of his key associates had already been arrested.
He added that police teams were coordinating with the CID and other departments to trace and arrest the main accused at the earliest.
Singh further said, "Preliminary investigation indicates that the murder stemmed from personal enmity. An incident involving the two individuals had also taken place in 2023, and this previous dispute is being examined as part of the investigation."
After the murder, tension prevailed in Mansa town as Jhota's supporters vandalised the medical shop, while his family refused to cremate the body in protest.
Assuring the protesters of action, the DIG said, "The main accused will be arrested within 24 hours and that legal action will be taken in accordance with the law."
Punjab AAP media in-charge and state general secretary (organisation) Baltej Pannu said, "The preliminary police findings pointing towards personal enmity behind Parvinder Jhota's murder must be investigated thoroughly. Whatever the personal dispute may have been, no one has the right to take the law into their own hands."
He added, "Anyone found responsible for the crime must face strict action. The main accused must be apprehended at the earliest, and the investigation must proceed impartially so that justice is delivered in accordance with the law."
In sum, police have named Kumar as the main accused, arrested one of his associates, and said the killing is being probed with a focus on an earlier dispute between the two men.
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