CBI begins probe into anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota murder case in Punjab
Synopsis
Days after Home Minister Amit Shah personally assured the family of slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, a CBI team landed in Mansa the same night and registered a case. With the BJP now demanding CBI takeover of two more Punjab cases — and calling for CM Bhagwant Mann's resignation — the murder has become both a justice issue and a high-stakes political flashpoint in the state.
Key Takeaways
The CBI launched its probe into the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota on Tuesday night, 21 October 2026 , in Mansa, Punjab .
Union Home Minister Amit Shah personally assured Jhota's family during a Mansa visit that the case would be transferred to the CBI.
Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon confirmed a CBI team reached Mansa the same night and registered a case against the accused.
The BJP has demanded the Punjab government also transfer the Gulzar Singh and Bikramjit Singh cases to the CBI.
Dhillon reiterated Shah's goal of making Punjab drug-free by 31 December 2029 .
The BJP called for the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann , accusing the AAP government of failures in governance and law and order.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched its investigation into the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota on Tuesday night in Mansa, Punjab, after Union Home Minister Amit Shah personally assured the victim's family that the case would be handed over to the central agency. Punjab Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) President Kewal Singh Dhillon confirmed the development on Wednesday, 21 October 2026.
How the CBI Took Over
According to Dhillon, Shah met Jhota's family during a visit to Mansa on Tuesday and gave a direct commitment that the investigation would be transferred from the state police to the CBI. A team from the central agency arrived in Mansa the same night, formally registered a case against the accused, and commenced its inquiry. Dhillon described the handover as a fulfilment of Shah's word to a grieving family.
What the BJP Wants Next
Expressing confidence in the CBI's impartiality, Dhillon said the agency would complete the probe promptly and ensure that those found guilty face stringent punishment. He also called on the Punjab government to transfer two additional cases — involving Gulzar Singh and Bikramjit Singh — to the CBI on similar grounds, arguing that an independent investigation would deliver justice to the affected families.
Shah's Drug-Free Punjab Target
Dhillon reiterated Shah's stated goal of making Punjab drug-free by 31 December 2029, expressing confidence that the target was achievable. The Jhota case sits at the intersection of the state's drug crisis and its law-and-order record — Jhota was reportedly killed in connection with his activism against drug trafficking in the region.
Political Pressure on AAP Government
The BJP leader used the occasion to sharpen his party's attack on the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Dhillon accused the AAP-led state government of failing on governance, drug control, and law and order. He said the demand for Mann's resignation was also backed by Jhota's family and the victim's struggle committee. This comes amid sustained BJP pressure on the AAP administration ahead of Punjab's next electoral cycle, with the Jhota case emerging as a focal point of accountability politics in the state.
Point of View
Making it difficult for the AAP government to push back without appearing obstructive. What deserves scrutiny is the broader pattern: CBI deployment in politically charged state cases routinely follows high-profile ministerial visits, raising questions about whether institutional timelines are being driven by judicial process or by electoral calendars. The BJP's parallel demand for CM Mann's resignation signals this case is now squarely inside the campaign machinery, which risks overshadowing the legitimate justice concerns of Jhota's family and other victims.
NationPress
21 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Parvinder Singh Jhota and why was the CBI called in?
Parvinder Singh Jhota was an anti-drug activist from Mansa, Punjab, reportedly killed in connection with his work against drug trafficking in the region. The CBI was called in after Union Home Minister Amit Shah personally assured Jhota's family during a visit to Mansa that the case would be transferred to the central agency for an impartial investigation.
When did the CBI begin its investigation into the Jhota murder case?
The CBI formally registered a case and began its investigation on Tuesday night, 21 October 2026, after a central agency team reached Mansa the same evening that Home Minister Shah met the victim's family.
What other cases has the BJP asked to be transferred to the CBI?
Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon has demanded that the Punjab government also transfer the cases involving Gulzar Singh and Bikramjit Singh to the CBI, arguing that independent central investigations would deliver justice to those families as well.
What is Amit Shah's target for Punjab on drug abuse?
Home Minister Amit Shah has set a target of making Punjab completely drug-free by 31 December 2029. BJP's Dhillon expressed confidence that the goal would be achieved under the commitment outlined by Shah.
Why is the BJP demanding Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's resignation?
Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon accused the AAP-led government of failing on governance, drug control, and law and order, and said the demand for Mann's resignation was supported by Jhota's family and the victim's struggle committee.
