Breaking: Punjab BJP Chief Dhillon writes to Governor Kataria, seeks CBI probe into Jhota murder
Ravi Jakhu
Chandigarh, October 13, 2026: Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon has written to Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, seeking a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the murder of anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota in Mansa.
In his letter dated October 13, Dhillon urged the Governor to intervene, citing concerns over the circumstances surrounding the killing and calling for an impartial investigation.
Dhillon said Jhota had been fighting against drug trafficking and the illegal sale of intoxicants in Punjab for several years. He highlighted two aspects of the case that he said required scrutiny: the victim’s father had named the local MLA in his statement, and eyewitnesses had reportedly seen the assailant speaking to someone on the phone shortly before opening fire.
Claiming that these circumstances raised questions about a possible conspiracy, Dhillon expressed a lack of confidence in a Punjab Police investigation and called for the case to be handed over to an independent agency.
He requested the Governor to direct the state government to transfer the investigation to the CBI without delay. He also called for the immediate preservation of digital and other evidence, including phone records and the Facebook livestream of the incident.
Dhillon further sought adequate security for Jhota’s family, including his young children, and demanded a thorough investigation into the alleged network behind the illegal drug trade in Punjab.
The allegations concerning the MLA and the possibility of a conspiracy were raised in Dhillon’s letter and require independent verification.