CBI must widen Punjab drug probe, examine drug inspector's role: Sunil Jakhar
Synopsis
At a Mansa tribute for slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, BJP's Sunil Jakhar demanded the CBI widen its Punjab drug probe and scrutinise a drug inspector who was arrested in a corruption case but later posted at headquarters. The allegation — that the inspector's role could reveal drug-trade 'secrets' — escalates political pressure on the Bhagwant Mann government.
Key Takeaways
Former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar demanded the CBI broaden its drug-related investigations in Punjab on 24 October 2026 .
Jakhar specifically called for scrutiny of a Mansa drug inspector who was previously arrested in a corruption case but was subsequently posted at headquarters.
The demand was made at a memorial for slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa .
Jakhar accused the Bhagwant Mann government of failing to address the dual crisis of drug overdose deaths and killings of anti-drug activists.
He criticised Mann for raising his airport-check experience in the Assembly rather than highlighting Jhota's case.
Former Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) president Sunil Jakhar on Saturday, 24 October, called on the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to broaden its ongoing investigations into drug-related cases in Punjab and specifically examine the role of a drug inspector posted in Mansa. Jakhar made the demand while paying tribute to slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota at a memorial event in Mansa.
Key Allegations Against the Drug Inspector
Jakhar alleged that the drug inspector responsible for regulating pharmaceuticals in Mansa — who had previously been arrested by the government in a corruption case — had since been posted at headquarters rather than facing further scrutiny. He argued that a thorough investigation into this inspector's conduct would uncover several 'secrets' linked to the drug trade in the region. The allegation points to what critics describe as systemic lapses in regulatory oversight in Punjab's drug enforcement machinery.
Tribute to Parvinder Singh Jhota
Jakhar saluted Jhota's father and wife for continuing the struggle against drugs despite what he called their 'unbearable grief', and pledged his firm support to the bereaved family. He said Jhota's campaign had given a 'new direction' to the fight against drugs in Punjab, and that its purpose was never to target individuals but to protect the state from the scourge of substance abuse. Notably, Jhota was killed while actively campaigning against drugs — a fate Jakhar described as a grim indicator of the dangers faced by anti-drug voices across the state.
Ground Reality in Punjab Villages
Jakhar painted a stark picture of conditions across Punjab, saying that alarming situations prevailed in every village — with some residents losing their lives to drug overdoses, others being killed for speaking out against the trade, and gangsters targeting people elsewhere. He said the safety of anti-drug activists had become as serious a concern as the overdose deaths themselves, and called for urgent action to protect whistleblowers and campaigners.
Attack on Bhagwant Mann Government
Jakhar levelled sharp criticism at Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) administration, saying the government appeared unable to address these serious issues. He questioned Mann for reportedly raising his experience of being stopped for checks at an airport during an Assembly session, rather than bringing up the killing of Jhota. Jakhar said this reflected a government more preoccupied with personal grievances than with the suffering of Punjab's people. He added that when ministers failed to reach out to hear citizens' grievances, it raised serious questions about democratic accountability.
What Happens Next
The BJP's demand for a widened CBI probe puts fresh political pressure on the Mann government ahead of upcoming local body elections in Punjab. Whether the CBI chooses to expand the ambit of its investigation — and whether the drug inspector's role is formally examined — will be closely watched by both political observers and anti-drug civil society groups across the state.
Point of View
But the underlying concern it surfaces — that regulatory officials implicated in corruption continue in service without further investigation — is a genuine accountability gap. The killing of anti-drug activists like Jhota signals that the drug nexus in Punjab is not merely a law-and-order problem but a lethal one for those who oppose it. The Mann government's critics have consistently argued that AAP's anti-drug rhetoric in opposition has not translated into structural reform in power. Whether the CBI acts on this demand, or whether it remains a political talking point, will determine how seriously the probe is taken by civil society.
NationPress
24 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What has Sunil Jakhar demanded from the CBI?
Jakhar has demanded that the CBI widen the scope of its drug-related investigations in Punjab and specifically examine the role of a Mansa drug inspector who was previously arrested in a corruption case but later posted at headquarters. He argued that such an investigation would expose several 'secrets' linked to the drug trade.
Who was Parvinder Singh Jhota?
Parvinder Singh Jhota was an anti-drug activist from Punjab who was killed while campaigning against drug abuse in the state. Jakhar paid tribute to Jhota at a memorial event in Mansa on 24 October, describing his campaign as having given a new direction to the anti-drug movement in Punjab.
What is the BJP's criticism of the Bhagwant Mann government on the drug issue?
The BJP alleges that the AAP-led Mann government has been unable to tackle Punjab's drug crisis effectively. Jakhar specifically criticised Mann for raising his airport-check experience in the Assembly instead of taking up Jhota's killing, and argued that ministers were not reaching out to hear citizens' grievances.
Why does the drug inspector's role matter in this case?
According to Jakhar, the drug inspector responsible for regulating pharmaceuticals in Mansa was previously arrested in a corruption case. His subsequent posting at headquarters, rather than facing further legal scrutiny, allegedly indicates that the full extent of his involvement in the drug trade has not been investigated.
What is the broader situation regarding drugs in Punjab?
Punjab faces a severe drug crisis, with deaths from overdoses and killings of anti-drug activists both reported as ongoing concerns. Jakhar described alarming conditions in villages across the state, with gangsters also active in some areas, and called for the safety of anti-drug voices to be treated as a priority alongside tackling the trade itself.
