Medical Shop Owner Arrested for Killing Anti-Drug Activist in Punjab

The main accused in the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota has been arrested in Rajasthan, a day after he was shot dead in broad daylight in Punjab’s Mansa district. Police sources said on Wednesday that Ashwani Kumar, a medical store owner accused of shooting Jhota, was apprehended in Salasar, Rajasthan, during a joint operation by the Punjab and Rajasthan Police. The arrest came a day after police detained an alleged associate who reportedly helped Kumar escape following the killing, news agency PTI reported.

Jhota was shot dead on Tuesday after confronting Kumar over allegations that drugs had been sold to an elderly man. The incident took place while the activist was broadcasting a live session on Facebook, capturing the confrontation and the moments leading up to the shooting. According to the available account, Jhota was seen questioning the shopkeeper outside his medical store and alleging that an elderly man standing beside him had purchased drugs from the establishment. The exchange soon escalated into a heated argument. During the approximately five-minute livestream, Kumar was reportedly seen holding a pistol before allegedly opening fire on Jhota.

Following the shooting, Kumar fled the scene, prompting police to launch a search operation. His subsequent arrest in Rajasthan marks a significant development in the investigation into the activist’s killing. Jhota was known in Mansa and surrounding areas for his campaign against drug abuse and the alleged illegal sale of intoxicating substances through certain medical stores. For several years, he had used social media to highlight suspected drug-related activities and confront individuals he believed were involved. His videos attracted considerable attention online, and he had built a following of more than 24,000 people on Facebook.

His activism first gained wider attention in 2023, when a dispute reportedly broke out between him, his supporters and a medical store owner on July 12. Since then, Jhota had continued raising concerns about drug availability and its impact on communities in the region. The killing has renewed attention on the dangers faced by people who publicly challenge suspected illegal drug sales. It has also raised questions about the enforcement of drug regulations and the safety of individuals involved in local anti-drug campaigns. The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and determine the alleged roles of those involved.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from NDTV.