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According to news agency PTI, Punjab Police has arrested the main accused Ashwani Kumar in the murder case of Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa.
Aam Aadmi Party spokesperson Baltej Pannu has also confirmed the arrest, although no statement has come from the police in this regard.
Jhota, who raised his voice against the drug problem and illegal sale of narcotics at chemist shops, was shot dead in broad daylight in a busy market in Mansa district of Punjab.
Meanwhile, the opposition in the state has cornered the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government on the issue of law and order.
According to BBC Punjabi, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann called a high-level meeting with SSPs, SDMs and DSPs of all the districts.
What did the police say about the murder?
Speaking to the media on Tuesday about Jhota's murder, Bathinda Range DIG Harjeet Singh said, "Initial investigation has revealed that the owner of a medicine shop named Ashwani opened fire with his licensed pistol at anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota. Parvinder Singh was actively participating in anti-drug activities in Mansa."
The police had formed different teams to arrest the accused. BBC correspondent Charanjeev Kaushal said that forensic teams are also investigating the incident site.
Meanwhile, a protest is taking place against the murder outside the DC office in Mansa. The protesters are demanding the arrest of all the accused of murder, strict action in the case and justice to the family of the deceased.
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Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema has claimed that there was already enmity and quarrel between the person who committed the murder and Jhota.
Viral video of the incident
In a video of the incident, an argument is seen between Parvinder Singh Jhota and the owner of the medical store over allegations of drug smuggling inside the shop.
In the video, Jhota is heard talking about calling the police. A pistol is also seen near the shopkeeper. He can also be heard challenging him to fire the pistol.
After some time, shots are fired and Jhota gets injured. After this he leaves the medical store and hides in another shop.
In another video, a man is seen going to the back part of the market with a pistol in his hand. Another sound of gunshot is heard in this video. After this the man takes the pistol and goes back to the shop.
After being shot, Jhota was brought to Mansa Civil Hospital in an injured condition, where he was declared dead.
According to Mansa SMO Dr. Gurmel Singh, two other people were also shot in this incident and have been admitted to the hospital.
Who was Parvinder Singh Jhota?
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Parvinder Singh Jhota was a resident of Mansa city of southern Punjab. He had also been a freestyle Kabaddi player. A few years ago, he came into limelight with the formation of 'Anti-Drug Task Force'. He formed his own organization and started handing over alleged drug dealers to the police.
BBC Punjabi, in a report published in July 2023, had told that in the past there was a dispute between Jhota and medical store owner Ashwani Kumar.
According to a police officer, on the evening of July 12, 2023, Jhota along with 7-8 of his supporters had entered a medical store in Mansa and tried to search the store.
According to the police, after this Jhota forcibly locked the medical store. Then medical store owner Ashwani Kumar was taken to the police station via the main market of Mansa by putting a garland of shoes around his neck.
Jhota came into limelight after this incident.
An FIR was registered against Ashwani Kumar under section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), but he was released on bail the same night.
The police had registered an FIR against Parvinder Singh alias Jhota and five others under sections 355, 451, 323, 148 and 149 of the Indian Penal Code in connection with this incident. Police had arrested Jhota from his house.
Jhota was also accused of extorting money from others by threatening him. Many cases were registered against him, although he was acquitted in many cases.
Police had arrested Jhota on June 5, 2023, in a case of attempt to murder. At that time, various organizations had staged a strong protest in Mansa city. After this the police withdrew the case and released Jhota.
Opposition surrounded AAP government of Punjab
Opposition parties claimed that Jhota's murder raises serious questions about the safety of those raising their voice against the drug problem. BJP, Congress and Shiromani Akali Dal demanded accountability from Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Punjab BJP President Kewal Singh Dhillon demanded a CBI inquiry into the murder. He wrote a letter to Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and appealed for immediate intervention.
Dhillon said that Jhota was not a common citizen, but had been fighting against drug smuggling and their illegal sale for a long time.
Some other opposition parties demanded the resignation of Bhagwant Mann over the government's alleged failure to stop drug trafficking and protect citizens.
Ludhiana MP and former Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Wadding said the incident has exposed the "complete failure" of law and order in the state. He said that serious questions have been raised on the safety of those who raise their voice against the drug trade.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia launched a scathing attack on the Mann government. He alleged that law and order has been "destroyed" across the state, there is chaos everywhere and sounds of gunfire are being heard at different places.
Former Punjab Chief Minister and Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi said Jhota's brutal murder had exposed the "horrible reality" of law and order under the Mann government and the "unbridled expansion" of the drug mafia in Punjab.
Targeting the Aam Aadmi Party government, he alleged, "There is jungle raj in Punjab."
Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Pratap Singh Bajwa said the incident should be seen in the context of a disturbing series of cases involving people raising concerns about the availability of drugs in Punjab.
In September, Gulzar Singh of Sangrur died allegedly after consuming poison. Earlier, he had claimed that he was threatened after questioning Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema about the availability of narcotics in his area.
Bajwa also raised the issue of alleged torture of Mohanjit Singh. Last month, Mohanjit Singh had hoisted a black flag from the rooftop of a house near the venue of the Chief Minister's event in Sangrur.
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