‘My daughter-in-law will carry forward Jhota’s first against drugs’: Parvinder Jhota’s father

Family demands CBI probe, resignations of CM and DGP, and action against alleged drug, police and political nexus; submits 14 demands to Punjab officials

Babushahi Bureau

Mansa (Punjab), October 19: “My daughter-in-law, my Rani, will now fight the war against drugs as my son Parvinder Singh Jhota,” said Bhim Singh Foji, father of Parvinder Singh Jhota, during a meeting with senior administrative and police officials in Mansa on Monday, asserting that the campaign his son had launched against drugs would continue across Punjab.

The meeting was held as the family and an action committee continued their struggle for justice following Jhota’s death. The family became emotional while discussing the loss and the future of his two young children, while Foji questioned the police’s claims of prompt action.

“My son may no longer be with us physically, but the fight he started will not stop,” Foji said, adding that his daughter-in-law, Manpreet Kaur, would carry the movement forward.

Manpreet also questioned what would happen to the couple’s two children following their father’s death. “Only we know what we are going through. What will happen to our two innocent children?” she asked officials, expressing anguish over the family’s loss.

The meeting was attended by Home Secretary Apneet Riyait, Police Commissioner Kanwalpreet Kaur Brar, DIG Harjit Singh, Mansa Deputy Commissioner Navjot Kaur and SSP Vaibhav Choudhary, among other officials.

‘This is police sluggishness, not promptness’

The discussion grew tense when the police’s promptness was mentioned. Foji reportedly objected to the description, saying, “This is not police promptness but sluggishness.”

He questioned why his son’s life could not be saved if the police had acted promptly. The family also expressed dissatisfaction with the government’s response, saying seven days had passed since the incident without any concrete outcome that could provide them justice.

During the meeting, the Home Secretary reportedly acknowledged Jhota’s sacrifice in the fight against drugs. The family and the action committee, however, stressed that assurances alone were insufficient and called for concrete action.

Action committee submits 14 demands

The action committee placed 14 demands before the administration, seeking accountability over Jhota’s death and alleging that the drug trade in Punjab could involve a wider network of influential individuals.

The committee demanded that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accept moral responsibility and resign, and that Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav also step down.

It sought a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into Jhota’s killing and the alleged nexus between drug traffickers, police personnel and political leaders. It also demanded that the post-mortem examination be conducted by a panel of senior doctors from PGIMER, Chandigarh, with the family’s consent.

The committee called for an investigation into the alleged contacts of the shopkeeper accused in the case, the wider drug network, pharmaceutical manufacturing units suspected of involvement, business partners and the role of officials. It said strict action should follow wherever wrongdoing is established, including cancellation of licences and closure of factories found to be involved in illegal activities.

The committee also demanded the dismissal of the Station House Officer, DSP and drug inspector concerned in Mansa. It sought a fast-track trial for the accused and exemplary punishment if the charges are proved in court.

Memorial and trauma centre sought in Jhota’s name

The committee demanded that a memorial statue of Jhota be installed at the shop where he was allegedly shot, to preserve the memory of his campaign against drugs.

It also sought a trauma centre at Khiala Kalan named after him. The committee demanded that those injured in the incident receive treatment at advanced medical institutions at government expense and that each injured person be given compensation of ₹20 lakh.

Stricter action against medicines allegedly misused as drugs

The action committee raised concerns over the misuse of pharmaceutical medicines and demanded that pregabalin capsules containing more than 75 mg be brought under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. It also called for other medicines allegedly misused as intoxicants to be brought under the law.

The committee further demanded the withdrawal of police cases registered across Punjab over the tearing of flex banners linked to the campaign.

It sought ₹20 lakh in compensation for the family of Jashandeep, a Ludhiana youth whose death the committee linked to the tearing of government publicity banners. This account reflects the committee’s allegation.

The committee also called for the withdrawal of cases it described as false against Foji and activists associated with the Anti-Drug Force.

Journalists’ social media pages, police cases raised

The committee also expressed concern over alleged action against journalists who raise issues concerning drugs and public welfare. It alleged that journalists’ social media pages were being shut down and police cases registered against them, calling for an environment in which they could report public-interest issues without pressure.

At the meeting, the family and the committee maintained that the struggle was not limited to securing justice for one family but was connected to the future of Punjab’s younger generation.

Foji said his son could not be brought back, but the movement would have meaning if it helped save other young people from drugs. He said Manpreet would continue the fight and that the family would not back down until it secured justice.

Several members of the action committee and other activists attended the meeting, including Amandeep Singh, Gagandeep Singh Sirsiwala, Kulwinder Singh Sukhi, Sandeep Singh, Jagmohan Singh, Ruby Mansa, Harinder Singh Manshahia, Bagh Singh Mansa, Gurlabh Singh Mahal, Rajwinder Rana, Manik Goel, Sukhwinder Singh Aulakh, Inderjit Munshi, Chamkaur Singh, Lakha Sidhana, Krishan Chauhan, Dr Janak Raj, Harpal Kaur, Hardeep Singh Sidhu and Dhanna Mall Goel.