According to the account of the incident, Jhota had visited a pharmacy and questioned the shop owner about a person who had allegedly purchased drugs from the establishment earlier that morning. An argument broke out between Jhota and the shop owner over the matter. During the confrontation, a person present inside the shop opened fire on Jhota. The bullets passed through his body, killing him.
The pharmacy owner reportedly shut the shop and fled the scene after the shooting. As news of the incident spread, police and Jhota’s supporters gathered at the spot.
The four other people injured in the firing have been identified as 65-year-old Baltej Singh, 42-year-old Kulwinder Singh, 24-year-old Happy Singh and 30-year-old Gobind Singh. Two of the injured were referred to Bathinda for treatment because of the seriousness of their condition.
Following Jhota’s killing, the atmosphere in Mansa remained tense. His supporters staged a sit-in protest at 12 Hata Chowk, demanding the arrest of the accused. Markets were also closed amid the protest.
Punjab Congress leader Amarinder Singh Raja Warring criticised the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government over the killing. He raised questions about the state’s law and order situation and the government’s campaign against drugs. Warring alleged that Parvinder Singh Jhota had raised his voice against narcotics in Punjab, but the Aam Aadmi Party government had not supported his efforts.
The Shiromani Akali Dal also questioned the Aam Aadmi Party government over the state’s law and order situation. The party asked Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann whom he was waiting for before taking action.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia also targeted the state government over Jhota’s murder, questioning the direction in which Punjab was heading. Majithia claimed that Jhota had been showing drug dealers on camera when the owner of a medical shop allegedly selling chitta, a term used for illicit drugs, shot him.
In a post dated October 13, 2026, Majithia raised questions about the government’s response to the killing. He said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann was facing questions about chitta at public events. Majithia also claimed that several people in Punjab, including Mohanjeet Sheron and Gulzar Singh, had been raising their voices against drugs.
Majithia further claimed that five police personnel had been shot dead in Punjab so far this year and questioned the state’s direction in light of the incidents.
Jhota’s killing has intensified criticism of the Punjab government over law and order and its efforts to combat narcotics. With supporters continuing their protest in Mansa and demanding the accused be arrested, the incident has brought renewed attention to concerns surrounding the alleged open sale of drugs in the state.
About The Author
Comment List