CBI team reaches Punjab town for probe into anti-drug activist’s murder
The CBI team contacted Mansa police authorities and took over the case files related to anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota's murder.
A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team reached Mansa in Punjab late Tuesday night to investigate the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota. The development came five hours after Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Jhota’s family, where he assured them of a thorough probe and said a CBI team would arrive soon.
The CBI team contacted Mansa police authorities and took over the case files related to the murder. The team is scheduled to meet Jhota’s family members on Wednesday.
“A CBI team has arrived in Mansa regarding the investigation of the murder case. We have interacted with them and handed over the case files. We will extend full cooperation to the CBI in the investigation,” Pushpinder Singh, Deputy Superintendent of Police, Mansa, said.
Jhota, 42, was shot dead inside a medical store in Mansa on October 13 during a confrontation with its owner, Ashwani Kumar, whom he had accused of selling addictive substances. The incident occurred while the anti-drug activist was livestreaming on Facebook. Kumar was subsequently arrested in Rajasthan.
Family yet to allow post-mortem examination
The killing sparked protests, with the family refusing to cremate Jhota’s body. The agitation widened into a broader campaign seeking accountability from the state government and action against officials alleged to have failed to address complaints concerning the accused.
Jhota’s murder case was transferred from the Punjab Police to the CBI following demands from his family, with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announcing the decision via a social media post on Tuesday.
Marking the ninth day of their ongoing protest, the family has yet to allow the post-mortem examination of the body.
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Kamaldeep Singh Brar is a Principal Correspondent at The Indian Express, primarily covering Amritsar and the Majha region of Punjab. He is one of the publication's key reporters for stories involving the Akal Takht, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC), and the sensitive socio-political issues of the border districts. Core Beats & Specializations Religious & Panthic Affairs: He has deep expertise in the internal workings of the Akal Takht and SGPC, frequently reporting on religious sentences (Tankhah), Panthic politics, and the influence of Sikh institutions. National Security & Crime: His reporting covers cross-border drug smuggling, drone activities from Pakistan, and the activities of radical groups. Regional Politics: He is the primary correspondent for the Majha belt, covering elections and political shifts in Amritsar, Tarn Taran, and Gurdaspur. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) His work in late 2025 has been centered on judicial developments, local body elections, and religious controversies: 1. Religious Politics & Akal Takht "Akal Takht pronounces religious sentences against former Jathedar Giani Gurbachan Singh" (Dec 8, 2025): Covering the historic decision to hold the former Jathedar guilty for granting a pardon to Dera Sacha Sauda chief Gurmeet Ram Rahim in 2015. "YouTube suspends SGPC’s channel for a week over video on 1984 Army action" (Nov 20, 2025): Reporting on the digital friction between global tech platforms and Sikh religious bodies. "As AAP govt grants Amritsar holy tag, a look at its fraught demand" (Nov 28, 2025): An analytical piece on the long-standing demand for declaring Amritsar a "holy city" and its political implications. 2. Crime & National Security "Mostly Khalistanis on Amritpal’s hit list: Punjab govt to High Court" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on the state government's claims regarding jailed MP Amritpal Singh orchestrating activity from prison. "Punjab man with links to Pakistan’s ISI handlers killed in encounter" (Nov 20, 2025): Detailing a police operation in Amritsar involving "newly refurbished" firearms likely sent from across the border. "15 schools in Amritsar get bomb threat emails; police launch probe" (Dec 12, 2025): Covering the panic and police response to mass threats against educational institutions. 3. Political Analysis & Elections "AAP wins 12 of 15 zones in SAD stronghold Majitha" (Dec 19, 2025): Highlighting a significant shift in the 2025 rural elections where the Akali Dal lost its grip on a traditional fortress. "Tarn Taran bypoll: woman faces threats after complaining to CM Mann about drug menace" (Nov 9, 2025): A ground report on the personal risks faced by citizens speaking out against the illegal drug trade in border villages. "AAP wins Tarn Taran bypoll, but SAD finds silver lining" (Nov 14, 2025): Analyzing the 2025 assembly by-election results and the surprising performance of Independents backed by radical factions. 4. Human Interest "Two couples and a baby: Punjab drug addiction tragedy has new victims" (Nov 20, 2025): A tragic investigative piece about parents selling an infant to fund their addiction. "Kashmiri women artisans debut at Amritsar’s PITEX" (Dec 8, 2025): A feature on financial independence initiatives for rural women at the Punjab International Trade Expo. Signature Beat Kamaldeep is known for his nuanced understanding of border dynamics. His reporting often highlights the "drug crisis in the underprivileged localities" (like Muradpur in Tarn Taran, Nov 9, 2025), providing a voice to marginalized communities affected by addiction and administrative neglect. X (Twitter): @kamalsbrar ... Read More
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