The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday, 14 October 2026 took cognisance of the murder of Punjab-based anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, with NHRC Chairperson Priyank Kanoongo calling the killing a 'blatant example of lawlessness' that exposed the growing brazenness of drug peddlers across the state. The Commission has issued formal notices to the Punjab Chief Secretary and the Director General of Police (DGP), seeking detailed reports on the incident.

What Happened

Jhota, a vocal campaigner against drug abuse and the alleged illegal sale of addictive medicines through chemist shops, was shot dead in broad daylight on Tuesday following a confrontation at a medical store. According to police, Jhota had challenged the store owner, identified as Ashwani Kumar, after allegedly witnessing him sell drugs to an elderly man. The confrontation escalated into a heated argument, during which the accused allegedly opened fire. The entire incident was captured during Jhota's Facebook Live session, triggering widespread public outrage.

Key Developments in the Investigation

In a significant breakthrough, the main accused Ashwani Kumar, a medical store owner, was arrested in Salasar, Rajasthan late on Tuesday night, according to a senior police officer. The pistol allegedly used in the killing has also been recovered. A second individual, suspected of helping Kumar evade police after the crime, has also been apprehended. Investigators have noted that personal enmity may be among the motives being examined — Jhota had previously confronted the same chemist in 2023 over alleged drug sales, reportedly triggering a prolonged dispute between them.

NHRC's Warning on Activist Safety

Chairperson Kanoongo said the NHRC's primary objective was to ensure that the safety of anti-drug activists remained a firm responsibility of state governments. 'Our aim is to ensure that across the country, including Punjab, the safety of activists working against drugs remains the responsibility of the state governments. With this objective, we will investigate the entire matter,' he said.

Kanoongo also raised broader concerns about alleged instances in which state governments had failed to support individuals speaking out against drugs. He cited two examples: one in which a person was allegedly assaulted after a conversation with a chief minister, and another in which a person reportedly died by suicide after not receiving sufficient attention from a finance minister. 'Such activities strengthen the resolve of drug dealers and give them the impression that the government is standing with them,' he claimed, calling for systemic change.

Background and Broader Context

The murder has intensified scrutiny on Punjab's ongoing battle with drug abuse, a crisis that has repeatedly surfaced as a political flashpoint in the state. Jhota had been campaigning specifically against the alleged over-the-counter sale of prescription and intoxicating medicines through chemist outlets — a channel that anti-drug activists say fuels addiction at the grassroots level. This is not the first time the NHRC has intervened in Punjab on drug-related human rights concerns, but the graphic nature of the killing — broadcast live on social media — has given the issue exceptional national visibility. The arrests in Rajasthan suggest a cross-state dimension to the case that investigators are now examining. How Punjab police and the state administration respond to the NHRC's notice will be closely watched in the weeks ahead.