SAD chief Badal holds CM Mann responsible for Punjab anti-drug activist’s murder

Sukhbir Singh Badal has held Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accountable for the breakdown of law and order following the tragic murder of anti-drug activist Parwinder Singh, also known as Jhota.

NEW DELHI: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal on Saturday held Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann directly responsible for the murder of anti-drug activist Parwinder Singh alias Jhota in Mansa, accusing the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government of failing to maintain law and order in the state. According to news agency ANI, Badal alleged that the chief minister had neglected policing and failed to control crime. “The situation is such that law and order simply does not exist. That is because the chief minister has no time for it,” he told reporters, adding that the state government had ruined Punjab.

Badal also alleged corruption in sand mining, administrative postings and transfers, plot allocations and change of land use (CLU) permissions. He further accused AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal of preparing lists of industrialists and business owners for alleged extortion. “Kejriwal has prepared a list of industrialists and business owners in Punjab, they came and informed me about dividing them into two categories: one category from whom they demand Rs 2 crore, and another category from whom they demand Rs 5 crore,” Badal alleged, claiming that the plan was to collect at least Rs 1,000 crore.

The remarks come amid heightened political tensions following Jhota’s killing on October 13. He was shot dead in broad daylight during a confrontation at a medical store over the alleged sale of addictive substances. Jhota was reportedly known for campaigning against drug abuse and confronting suspected sellers of habit-forming medicines.

CM Mann has termed the killing unfortunate and promised strict punishment for those responsible. He said he had directed the director general of police to ensure a thorough investigation and that anyone involved in the alleged conspiracy would not be spared.

In a joint operation with Rajasthan Police, Punjab Police arrested the alleged main shooter from Salasar in Rajasthan on Wednesday. The accused was reportedly hiding at a dharamshala near the Salasar Balaji Temple. Further investigation is underway.

The killing also prompted a statewide bandh call on October 15 by Jhota’s family and various organisations demanding accountability and an independent investigation.