Breaking: Centre seeks report from Punjab Govt on Parvinder Singh Jhota murder
Ravi Jakhu
Chandigarh/New Delhi, October 16, 2026: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has sought a detailed factual report from the Punjab Government on the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh alias Jhota in Mansa on October 13.
In a communication dated October 16, Under Secretary to the Government of India Subodh Kumar Jayasawal asked Punjab Chief Secretary to submit details of the incident and the action taken by state authorities. The Centre also expressed concern over protests reported across Punjab following the killing.
The Ministry has sought an update on the Punjab Government’s implementation of the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026–2029), shared by Union Home Minister Amit Shah with the Punjab Chief Minister on August 10, 2026.
The document outlines measures to strengthen the state’s anti-narcotics framework, including restructuring or establishing a dedicated Anti-Narcotics Task Force (ANTF), mandatory financial investigations into drug cartels, and more effective reviews under the Narcotics Coordination Centre (NCORD) mechanism.
The Centre has also sought details of steps to strengthen Special Courts under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, improve prosecution, appoint dedicated nodal officers and take action against transnational drug networks.
A copy of the communication has also been sent to the Director General of Police, Punjab, for follow-up.
Jhota was known for campaigning against drug abuse and the alleged sale of narcotics in Punjab. His killing has drawn protests and renewed demands for action against the drug trade and those responsible for his death.