Chandigarh: The Punjab government has suspended DSP Harjinder Singh Gill and drug inspector Naresh Kumar in connection with the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota. This action comes after Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced that the case would be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The Chief Minister had announced the CBI investigation on Tuesday, accepting the demand of Jhota’s family.
Mann stated that the government stands firmly with Jhota’s father and family. The family had long been demanding a central agency probe into the murder.
Bhagwant Mann announces CBI investigation following family’s demand
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced a CBI investigation in response to the family’s demand in a post on the social media platform X.
He reiterated the government’s commitment to making Punjab drug-free and said that the government will not back down from taking strict measures to achieve this goal.
The suspension of DSP Harjinder Singh Gill and Drug Inspector Naresh Kumar is a new development in the case. However, available information does not disclose the specific reasons for the suspension of the two officers.
Jhota was murdered inside a medical store in Mansa
Parvinder Singh Jhota was known for raising his voice against the alleged illegal sale of drugs at medical stores. He was shot dead inside a medical store located in a busy market in Mansa, Punjab on October 13.
According to available information, Jhota had allegedly questioned the sale of drugs to an elderly man. During this time, the medical store owner, Ashwani Kumar, is accused of shooting Jhota.
Following the murder, Jhota’s family demanded a fair and thorough investigation into the case. They stated that the investigation should be handed over to the CBI.
Shot during Facebook Live
Jhota was reportedly on Facebook Live when he was shot. The incident occurred during a dispute over alleged drug sales inside a medical store.
Following the murder, the accused, Ashwani Kumar, was reportedly taken into custody in Salasar, Rajasthan.
Jhota’s murder and his questions about alleged illegal drug sales are now at the center of the investigation. Following the Punjab government’s announcement of a CBI inquiry and the suspension of two officers, the investigation is expected to move forward. However, clarity will only emerge after an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the murder and the questions raised by the family.