A team of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday, 22 October 2026, reached Mansa in AAP-ruled Punjab to begin its investigation into the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, who was shot dead inside a medical store on 13 October. The central agency reportedly arrived late Tuesday night and collected case-related documents from local police, marking the formal start of its probe.

Background: Who Was Parvinder Singh Jhota

Jhota was a young social activist from Mansa known for vocally opposing the alleged illegal sale of addictive substances in the region. He was killed by gunshot inside a medical store in Mansa on 13 October. The accused, identified as Ashwani Kumar, was subsequently arrested in Rajasthan.

His death drew widespread attention to the broader issue of drug-related violence in Punjab, where activists and whistleblowers have faced threats for speaking out. Notably, Jhota was one of at least three individuals in the state killed in recent months after raising their voices against drug-related activities — the other two cases originating in Gurdaspur and Sangrur.

Why the Case Was Transferred to the CBI

The Punjab government transferred the case to the CBI following persistent demands from Jhota's family for an independent and impartial investigation. The family and supporters had expressed doubts about the state police's ability to conduct a thorough probe, citing the politically sensitive nature of the drug menace in the state.

The transfer raises expectations that the full circumstances surrounding the killing — including possible links to organised drug networks — will now be examined without interference.

Amit Shah Visits Bereaved Families Across Punjab

Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday visited the families of all three victims across Gurdaspur, Sangrur, and Mansa, offering condolences and promising justice. At approximately 3:30 pm, Shah reached Mansa and met Jhota's father Bhim Singh, mother Amarjit Kaur, and wife Manpreet Kaur, assuring the family of a thorough and fair investigation under the CBI.

Present during the Mansa visit were Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon, former state BJP president Sunil Jakhar, Preneet Kaur, national vice-president Manpreet Singh Badal, and Rajya Sabha member Bikramjit Singh Sahney. A CBI probe has been promised in all three cases, according to reports.

What the CBI Investigation Involves

The CBI team has taken custody of case records from local police and is expected to examine the full circumstances of the killing, scrutinise evidence collected to date, and — reportedly — hold a meeting with Jhota's family on Wednesday. The agency is likely to probe whether the murder was a targeted act tied to Jhota's anti-drug activism or part of a broader pattern of intimidation against activists in the state.

Political Context and What Comes Next

The case has taken on sharp political overtones, with the BJP using Shah's visits to amplify pressure on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, which has long positioned itself as the party that would eradicate the state's drug problem. Critics argue that the murders of multiple anti-drug activists under the incumbent dispensation undermine that claim.

The CBI's findings will be closely watched — not only for justice in the Jhota case but as a test of whether central agency intervention can crack open the organised networks that reportedly enable drug distribution in the state. The investigation is expected to gather pace in the coming days.