Deadlock continues over Jhota’s cremation; SGPC announces museum tribute, aid for injured
Babushahi Bureau
Mansa (Punjab), October 17, 2026: The deadlock over the cremation of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota continued for the fifth day on Saturday, with his family refusing to allow the last rites until its demands for justice are met.
Meanwhile, the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) announced that Jhota’s portrait would be installed at the Central Sikh Museum in the Sri Harmandar Sahib complex in Amritsar. SGPC president Harjinder Singh Dhami also announced financial assistance of ₹5 lakh each for the four people injured in the October 13 shooting.
Dhami met Jhota’s father, Bhim Singh, and assured the family of the Sikh body’s support. The assistance for each injured person will include ₹2.5 lakh towards medical expenses and ₹2.5 lakh as financial aid. The SGPC also offered to arrange treatment at its medical college in Amritsar and bear the full cost.
However, Bhim Singh declined the SGPC’s separate offer to deposit ₹10 lakh each in fixed deposits for Jhota’s two young sons, saying the family did not need financial assistance and had sought help for the injured. The family also said that representatives of Baru Sahib had offered to bear the children’s educational expenses.
Family sticks to demands for justice
Jhota’s body remains at the mortuary of the Mansa Civil Hospital as the family and supporters continue their protest. The action committee has demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the murder, along with accountability for officials it alleges failed to act against the accused.
Its demands include the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, action against senior district police and drug-control officials, and a post-mortem examination by a panel of doctors from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh.
Inspector Beant Kaur, the Station House Officer of Mansa City-2 police station, has been suspended. The district administration has also cancelled the arms licence of Ashwani Kumar, the chemist accused of shooting Jhota.
Jhota was allegedly shot dead inside a medical store on October 13 after confronting the shop owner over the alleged sale of addictive drugs. The incident took place while Jhota was livestreaming his campaign against drugs. Four other people were injured.
Three FIRs registered over protest-related incidents
Separately, Mansa police have registered three FIRs over incidents involving alleged arson, vandalism and inflammatory content during protests following Jhota’s killing. Police are examining CCTV footage and social media videos to identify those involved.
The police action followed a meeting between officials and the action committee. Authorities have said strict action will be taken against anyone found engaging in violence or forcing traders to close their shops. Commercial establishments in Mansa began reopening after remaining shut for three days.
Centre seeks report; BJP calls for protest
The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has sought detailed reports from the Punjab government on Jhota’s killing and other recent drug-related deaths in the state, including the deaths of Bikramjit Singh in Gurdaspur and Gulzar Singh in Sangrur.
Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon visited the protest site and met Jhota’s parents. He reiterated the demand for a CBI investigation and appealed to people to wear black turbans and black dupattas and carry black flags until justice is delivered. Dhillon criticised the Aam Aadmi Party government over its handling of the drug menace; these remarks were political allegations.
The family and protesters have maintained that the agitation will continue until their demands are addressed. The installation of Jhota’s portrait at the Central Sikh Museum is intended to honour his campaign against drug abuse, but it has not resolved the standoff over his cremation.