CHURU (Rajasthan): The Punjab Police, in a joint operation with Rajasthan Police, on Wednesday arrested the main shooter involved in the murder of anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota from Salasar, Rajasthan, officials said.
According to Salasar Station House Officer (SHO) Shankar Lal Bhari, the accused sharpshooter was arrested from the Shri Ganganagar Dharamshala, situated near the Salasar Balaji Temple, where he was reportedly hiding in disguise. Following the apprehension, the Punjab Police team took the accused into custody and further investigation into the case in currently under way.
Jhota, who was known for his activism against drugs in Mansa, was shot by a medical shop owner. He was taken to a hospital after sustaining bullet injuries and later succumbed to them. The incident has ignited a political firestorm in the state, with opposition parties attacking the Bhagwant Mann-led government over the alleged failure of law and order and questioning the effectiveness of Punjab’s drive against drugs.
Breaking: Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was reportedly shot dead in Mansa this morning by a medical store owner.
Jhota had reportedly visited the medical store over allegations that the owner was selling intoxicating capsules. https://t.co/cGXZT3KoWF— Gagandeep Singh (@Gagan4344) October 13, 2026
Congress MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring claimed that drug peddlers enjoy the full backing of the state government. “We have stated that the situation regarding the drug crisis in Punjab is dire; one never knows what might happen next. Those who fight against drugs are bound to face such consequences because these drug peddlers enjoy the full backing of the government,” Warring said.
#WATCH | Mansa, Punjab | Congress MP Amarinder Singh Raja Warring says, “This is a matter of grave concern for Punjabis living across the world and for the people of Punjab. Our state is sinking deeper into the drug crisis, and every day, countless young people are falling victim to addiction… Bhagwant Mann had claimed that the drug menace would be eliminated within a month and a half. The government also launched campaigns such as the ‘War against Drugs’, spending crores of rupees of public money. However, I believe these campaigns have largely failed to deliver results, and the people of Punjab have been misled… Then came a courageous young man, Parminder Jhota, against whom 27 cases were reportedly registered… Parminder took on drug dealers, exposed their activities and recorded videos to bring their alleged involvement to light. He had previously confronted and warned those involved as well… It appeared that the police were also unhappy with Parminder because he was repeatedly exposing drug dealers and bringing the Mansa police under scrutiny. We even contacted the DSP, who visited the area, but despite these efforts, no effective action followed…”
He also says, “The Punjab Congress has called for protests across its blocks and districts tomorrow. We will stand with the family and continue this struggle until justice is delivered and their demands are addressed… The Punjab government, the Chief Minister and the police must take responsibility for failing to tackle the drug menace effectively… The government should recognise his sacrifice, accord him martyr status and pass a resolution to that effect in the Punjab Vidhan Sabha. The Chief Minister and the entire government should visit the family and share their grief instead of making excuses…”
— ANI (@ANI) October 14, 2026
Expressing similar sentiments, MP Charanjit Singh Channi alleged, “Parminder Singh Jhota was a very strong, brave, and forward-thinking young social activist who fought against those selling drugs. The government didn’t just once, but multiple times, harassed him and filed cases against him to stop him from acting against drug traffickers. However, today his struggle reached its peak when a drug dealer shot him and made a video of it…”
Congress in charge in the state, Sachin Pilot, also targeted the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government over his death. “The brazen shootouts occurring in Punjab—such as the incident where a shopkeeper shot a young man campaigning against drugs while the act was captured live on camera—demonstrate that such fearless hooliganism has become commonplace. It is shameful that violence is being directed at those who wish to fight the drug menace and expose the government. I believe the Chief Minister and the Aam Aadmi Party government have lost the moral authority to govern,” said Pilot.
The BJP also condemned the death of anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota. BJP national president Nitin Nabin said, “The killing of anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota in Mansa is shocking and exposes the alarming state of law and order in Punjab under the AAP government. The Aam Aadmi Party came to power promising a drug-free Punjab. Today, those who stand up against drugs are themselves at risk. This is a serious failure of governance. If those fighting the drug mafia are not safe, who is safe in Punjab? The people of Punjab deserve answers and accountability,” said Nabin.
Additionally, NHRC further took cognisance of the anti-drug activist death incident, demanding an Action Taken Report from the concerned authorities regarding the investigation into the incident and action against those behind the incident.
In its letter, NHRC, based on the complainant, also requested the chief secretary to take appropriate measures to ensure the safety of individuals working against drug abuse and to prevent such incidents in the future.
Parminder Singh Jhota’s mother alleged that her son frequently expressed fear for his life, claiming that he had many enemies who wanted him killed, and demanded severe punishment for the drug mafia in the state. She claimed that the police did not even inform the family about the incident.
She further held Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann responsible for her son’s death, recalling that she used to advise her son not to step out of the house.
“The police didn’t even inform us when he died. He used to say I have many enemies, and they will get me killed. The drug mafia should be hanged, and they should be shot dead. And what Bhagwant Mann says—that the war against drugs will eradicate everything — he had my son killed. I used to ask my son not to go outside…” said Jotha’s mother.
Mother’s remarks came after the father of the anti-drug activist appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to ensure the security of his grandchildren, alleging that the Punjab government failed to protect his son.
Vowing to continue the fight against drugs, Jhota’s father said that he would keep raising his voice against the drug menace for as long as he lived. (ANI)
