A team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has reached Mansa in Punjab to investigate the murder of anti-drug activist Parwinder Singh Jhotta, after Union Home Minister Amit Shah assured his family that the case would be thoroughly investigated. The development comes after Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that his government would hand over the case to the central agency, accepting the family's demand for a CBI probe.
Jhotta, who was known for speaking out against the illegal sale of addictive substances at chemist shops, was shot inside a medical store in a busy market in Mansa on October 13. The store owner, Ashwani Kumar, allegedly opened fire at the activist after Jhotta questioned him about selling drugs to an elderly man. Kumar was later taken into custody from Salasar in Rajasthan.
After reaching Mansa, the CBI team contacted local police officials, who handed over the files related to Jhotta's murder to the agency. The CBI is expected to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killing, including who allegedly plotted the murder and who else was involved.
The investigation will also examine the alleged drug trade links of the prime accused, Ashwani Kumar, and identify people connected to his network. The agency will further look into whether any police officer or personnel allegedly assisted in the case.
The CBI team declined to comment on the investigation when approached by the media.
Earlier on Tuesday, Mann expressed solidarity with Jhotta's family, which had been demanding a CBI investigation into his killing. "We stand firmly with the father of Parwinder Singh Jhotta and his family. Accepting the demand of the family, we are handing over this case to the CBI," Mann said in a post in Punjabi on X, according to news agency Press Trust of India.
Amit Shah also met Jhotta's family on Tuesday and assured them that the murder would be investigated thoroughly and that the CBI team would reach Mansa soon.
Speaking about the meeting, Jhotta's father, Bhim Singh, said the Home Minister shared the family's grief and assured them that justice would be delivered soon.
The killing had triggered widespread outrage in Punjab, with a statewide bandh called to protest the murder of the anti-drug activist and demand justice.
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