Parvinder Jhota murder: Mansa City-2 SHO Beant Kaur suspended, DIG issues apology over personal enmity remarks
Meanwhile Parvinder Jhota's family has levelled serious allegations against SHO Beant Kaur and claimed that drugs were being on a large scare in the area under her protection.
PTC News Desk: In a significant breakthrough, Mansa City-2 SHO Beant Kaur has been suspended in connection with murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota on Wednesday. Mansa SSP while confirming the development said the killing took place in the area under her jurisdiction.
Meanwhile Parvinder Jhota's family has levelled serious allegations against SHO Beant Kaur and claimed that drugs were being on a large scare in the area under her protection.
In another development, Bathinda Range DIG Harjeet Singh has issued apology to the action committee seeking justice for slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota after its members objected to his remarks linking the murder to an old personal rivalry.
“I apologise if my statement has hurt anyone. I had no intention to hurt you. We have come to seek your support. We are with you,” said DIG Harjeet Singh publicly.
Check all LIVE UPDATES from Punjab Bandh today here
A high-level team, including the DIG, Mansa SSP Vaibhav Chaudhary, Deputy Commissioner Navjot Kaur and ADC Poonam Singh, met committee members on Thursday night to seek their cooperation. During the meeting, committee members Lakhvir Singh Lakha Sidhana and Gulabh Singh Mahal questioned the DIG over his earlier statement that Parvinder Singh Jhota’s murder was linked to an old personal dispute with chemist Ashwani Kumar, who is accused of shooting him dead.
The committee members also questioned the police over their failure to take action against the chemist for his alleged drug-related activities, despite repeated complaints.
Punjab Bandh
Punjab is observing a bandh today, from 6 am to 5 pm, in protest against the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota. He was shot dead at a chemist shop in Mansa on Tuesday morning. The call was given by the Insaaf Morcha, a joint action committee of various organisations formed after Jhota’s death. The Morcha and Jhota’s father have appealed for a peaceful shutdown and urged the public to support it in the demand for justice.
The incident
Jhota (45) was livestreaming on Facebook when he confronted chemist shop owner Ashwani, reportedly over the alleged sale of drugs. He said he had received a tip-off about the sale. A doctor at Mansa Civil Hospital said one bullet pierced Jhota’s liver, causing his death. Preliminary indications suggest a licensed weapon was used.
The two had a history of confrontation over alleged drug sales. The police had registered a case against Ashwani on Jhota’s complaint.
Allegations against police
Jhota’s supporters allege that he called several police officers, including senior ones, before the confrontation, but no one reached the spot in time. The Morcha is demanding the resignation of the DSP concerned and of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, who also holds the Home portfolio.