Jhota Murder Case
Protestors Burn AAP’s Broom Across State
Chandigarh
The Central Bureau of Investigation has intensified its probe into anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota’s murder, deploying three teams in Mansa to examine the alleged conspiracy, the prime accused’s links with police officials, and the issuance of his arms licence despite five police cases against him. Simultaneously, the case triggered fresh protests across Punjab on Sunday, with demonstrators burning the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) election symbol, the broom, and threatening a statewide boycott of the ruling party. At the same time, Jhota’s family has refused to permit his postmortem for the 13th consecutive day, remaining adamant on its demand for the resignations of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and DGP Gaurav Yadav.
The developments have intensified pressure on the State Government over the October 13 killing, with investigators examining the accused’s connections, the circumstances surrounding the shooting, and the process through which he secured a weapons licence. The main accused, medical store owner Ashwani Kumar, has been remanded to five days of CBI custody.
The CBI registered an FIR in the case on October 13 and is gathering evidence from multiple locations in Mansa. Its forensic team collected samples from Ashwani Kumar’s medical store and inspected a footwear shop near the crime scene, where Jhota reportedly fell after being shot. Investigators have also questioned owners of nearby shops to reconstruct the sequence of events.
The central probe agency is examining the alleged conspiracy, the accused’s reported contacts with officials, including police personnel, and the circumstances in which his arms licence was issued. According to available records, Mansa SSP Vaibhav Chaudhary recommended the licence on August 9, 2024, mentioning five police cases against Kumar. An FIR registered at Mansa City-2 police station on April 4, 2024, was cited in connection with his security.
The licence was issued on August 21, 2024, and remained valid until August 20, 2029. It permitted Kumar to possess a 7.62 mm pistol and a 12-bore gun, with permission to purchase up to 50 cartridges at a time and 100 annually. Police have said a licensed weapon was used in the murder. The CBI is examining the weapons and related records.
Jhota’s father, Bhim Singh, has questioned SSP Chaudhary’s functioning, alleging possible police complicity in the murder and demanding his immediate transfer. He has also sought the dismissal of suspended DSP Harjinder Singh Gill and City-2 SHO Beant Kaur.
The action committee has identified the resignations of Chief Minister Mann and the DGP as its first two demands. Committee member Manik Goyal said negotiations with the government could not reach a conclusion until both resigned.
Although the special investigation team (SIT) has stated that it has accepted 11 demands, the family remains firm on its principal conditions. Its refusal to permit the postmortem has continued for 13 days, leaving the standoff unresolved.
Police are also investigating an alleged longstanding grudge dating back to 2023, when Jhota reportedly made Kumar wear a garland of shoes and paraded him through the town. Kumar allegedly felt humiliated by the incident.
His wife, Neelam Rani, has also been named in the alleged conspiracy. Police claim she knew of the purported plan but neither informed the authorities nor tried to stop it. Her criminal liability remains to be established through evidence before the court.
With the CBI examining the alleged conspiracy and arms-licensing trail, the investigation continues alongside an agitation that has widened into a political confrontation over accountability and the state’s response to drugs.
Broom-Burning Protests Spread Across Punjab
Demonstrators burned AAP’s broom symbol in Mansa, including Jawaharke village, as well as Ludhiana, Bathinda, Tarn Taran and Faridkot. The Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee and Shiromani Akali Dal (Waris Punjab De) participated in the protests.
The Mansa demonstration was attended by Jhota’s father, former Deputy Speaker Ajab Singh Bhatti, and farmer leaders Jagdev Singh, Mahendra Singh, Bagh Singh, Aman Patwari and Ruby Singh, among others.
KMSC said people had formed the AAP Government with great enthusiasm but were now questioning its performance. Protesters warned of a statewide social and political boycott of the ruling party in villages unless the government acted on the family’s demands, pledging to intensify the agitation.
Rajewal Backs Family, Raises Drug Menace
Senior Bharatiya Kisan Union leader Balbir Singh Rajewal met Jhota’s family, expressed condolences and assured them of all possible assistance. He said drugs had reached households across Punjab and that successive governments had failed to curb the menace. He urged the government and administration to take stringent measures to protect the state’s youth.
