Punjab Drug Crisis: Harsimrat Badal Urges Amit Shah To Order CBI Probe Into Jhota Murder

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Monday urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to order a CBI probe into the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Punjab. She further called for an investigation into the alleged nexus between politicians, police officials and drug traffickers in the state.

In a letter to Shah, Badal raised concerns over Jhota’s campaign against drug trafficking and the illegal sale of controlled medicines and synthetic narcotics in the Mansa region. Her appeal came a day before the Home Minister’s scheduled visit to Punjab on October 20.

According to Badal’s letter, Jhota had alerted the Mansa Deputy Superintendent of Police about the alleged sale of psychotropic drugs at a chemist shop and requested police intervention.

After the police allegedly failed to arrive, Jhota livestreamed the suspected sale by shop owner Ashwini Kumar.

Badal alleged that Kumar subsequently shot Jhota dead and injured two others.

Jhota’s father, Bhim Singh, accused politicians and officials of protecting the drug trade. He claimed his son had faced false cases, imprisonment and threats for exposing narcotics networks.

Badal questioned how Kumar allegedly obtained a firearms licence in 2024, months after his release from jail, citing his alleged history of selling controlled drugs.

The SAD MP called for the CBI to investigate the murder, possible involvement of public officials and alleged misuse of police action against anti-drug activists. She cited the cases of Mohanjit Singh, who allegedly faced torture after protesting against chitta (a locally used term for heroin), and Gulzar Singh, who reportedly died by suicide after facing police pressure.

Badal said an independent investigation was necessary to establish accountability and address Punjab’s drug crisis. The allegations have not been independently established.

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