Harsimrat Kaur Badal Writes to HM Shah, Seeks CBI Probe Into Jhota Murder as Protests Continue in Mansa

October 19, 2026

Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding a CBI investigation into the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh ‘Jhota’ and a wider probe into the alleged links between politicians, police officials and the drug trade in Punjab.

Her letter comes a day before Shah’s scheduled visit to Punjab on October 20. The Home Minister is expected to visit Mansa, where Jhota’s family and supporters have been demanding action following his killing.

Meanwhile, protests have continued in Mansa, with members of the Insaaf Committee planning to demonstrate outside the residences of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs. The protesters intend to submit letters of condemnation to the legislators. They have warned that if the letters are not accepted, they will paste them outside the MLAs’ homes.

Harsimrat Kaur Alleges Politician-Police-Drug Mafia Nexus

In her letter to Shah, Harsimrat Kaur described Jhota as an activist who had campaigned against drug abuse and the alleged illegal sale of controlled pharmaceutical substances and synthetic drugs in the Mansa region.

She alleged that Jhota was killed in broad daylight after attempting to expose the sale of psychotropic drugs at a local chemist shop. According to her account, Jhota had informed the Mansa Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) about the alleged drug sale and asked the officer to reach the location.

Kaur claimed that the police did not arrive, after which Jhota began livestreaming the alleged sale at the shop owned by Ashwini Kumar. She alleged that Kumar later shot Jhota and injured two other people after speaking to someone over the phone.

These allegations were cited in the SAD MP’s letter and have not been independently established through the material provided.

Kaur also referred to a statement reportedly submitted to the police by Jhota’s father, Bhim Singh. According to her, the father alleged that his son had been targeted because he was exposing the drug trade and claimed that influential people were protecting those involved.

She said Bhim Singh had accused several police officials of being involved in earlier cases against his son and alleged that he had been threatened while Jhota was in jail. The letter also raised allegations against officials responsible for monitoring drug sales in the district.

Kaur called for an independent investigation to establish whether any police officers, drug inspectors or political figures had helped protect those involved in the alleged drug trade.

SAD MP Seeks Wider Probe Into Drug Trafficking

The SAD leader said the investigation should go beyond Jhota’s killing and examine the wider network allegedly responsible for drug trafficking in Punjab.

She also referred to other cases involving people who had spoken out against drugs. These included Mohanjit Singh of Sunam, whom she alleged was tortured after protesting against the sale of ‘chitta’, a term commonly used for synthetic drugs, at an event addressed by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

Kaur also cited the death by suicide of Gulzar Singh, alleging that he had faced police persecution after questioning Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema over the alleged open sale of drugs.

The SAD MP argued that these cases warranted scrutiny as part of a comprehensive investigation into allegations of harassment and suppression of anti-drug activists.

She said a CBI probe was necessary to identify those responsible for Jhota’s murder and determine whether any officials or political figures had enabled the drug trade. The allegations against the individuals named in the letter remain claims requiring investigation.

Jhota’s Family Maintains Protest Demands

The developments come as Jhota’s family and supporters continue their protest in Mansa. His father, Bhim Singh, said Parvinder’s wife would now join the action committee and address the media.

Bhim Singh also clarified that any planned protest against Union Home Minister Amit Shah should be understood as an action taken on behalf of the family, referring to earlier statements by some committee members about opposing the Home Minister’s visit.

The action committee has demanded the resignations of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Punjab Director General of Police (DGP). It has also maintained that Jhota’s post-mortem examination and last rites will not take place until its demands are met.

His body has remained at a hospital in Mansa for the past seven days, according to the information provided.

The committee’s position has kept the issue in focus ahead of Shah’s visit. Protesters are continuing to press for accountability, while the family is seeking action over the circumstances surrounding Jhota’s death.

The CBI probe demand and the ongoing demonstrations have added to the pressure on the Punjab government to address the allegations raised by the family and opposition leaders. Further developments are expected as Shah’s visit approaches and the demands of the protesters remain unresolved.