CBI Registers FIR in Mansa Activist Jhota Murder, Team Takes Over Probe

The Central Bureau of Investigation registered a case on Wednesday, 21 October, and took over the investigation into the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, who was shot dead inside a medical store in a busy Mansa market, Punjab, on 13 October. Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann announced the transfer on Tuesday after Jhota’s family demanded a CBI probe, and a CBI team that reached Mansa overnight has asked local police for the case documents, PTI reported.

Post-Mortem at PGIMER, Last Rites Still Waiting

Jhota’s body has not yet been cremated. His family and supporters have refused to hold last rites until they get justice, PTI reported. The post-mortem will be done by a team of experts at PGIMER, Chandigarh, and a magistrate in Chandigarh will hold the inquest. The family was due to meet the CBI team at the Mansa Circuit House at 11:30 am.

The Tribune reported that the CBI team has five members, two of them officers, and reached the Mansa City-2 police station around midnight. The local case is FIR No. 269. Mansa DSP (Headquarters) Pushpinder Singh said the team “arrived here to take up the investigation” and that police would support it.

What Led to the Shooting

Jhota was known for speaking out against the illegal sale of addictive substances at chemist shops. Police have said he was shot after questioning the store owner over a drug sale to an elderly man; the killing was streamed live on his Facebook page, according to reports. Police took the store owner, Ashwani Kumar, into custody from Salasar in Rajasthan, and The Tribune reported that four people are on police remand and the pistol has been recovered. These are police claims; the accused have not been convicted of anything.

Two protests have run in Mansa since 13 October and Punjab saw a bandh on 15 October. The family has also asked for action against Mansa police officers and the drug inspector, among nine demands. Home Minister Amit Shah met the family on Tuesday; The Tribune reported that he assured them the probe would be completed within 120 days. IPB News has also reported on Mr Shah’s visit and the Home Ministry’s request for a Punjab report.

CBI Timeline Not Yet Official

The CBI has not published a statement on its findings or timetable. The 120-day figure rests on a report of Mr Shah’s remarks to the family. Punjab goes to the polls early next year, and the case has already become a political row. More in Daily Updates.

Source: Based on reporting by ThePrint (PTI), Deccan Herald (PTI) and The Tribune.

Image: The Tribune.