Punjab Assembly Pays Tribute to Anti-Drug Activist Parvinder Singh Jhota; CBI Questions Family as Standoff Continues

Mansa / Chandigarh:

The Punjab Legislative Assembly on Wednesday paid tribute to anti-drug crusader Parvinder Singh Jhota, with the Speaker and legislators observing a two-minute silence inside the House.

Meanwhile, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its probe into the murder case. A team of federal investigators questioned Jhota’s father Bhim Singh, mother Amarjeet Kaur, and wife Manpreet Kaur for nearly an hour at the Mansa Rest House, recording their statements. This marked the family's second meeting with the central agency. Concurrently, a separate CBI team visited the residence of prime accused chemist Ashwini Kumar and his associate Vipin Kumar to gather witness accounts from local residents.

Accused Produced in Court as Remand Ends

The initial police remand of chemist Ashwini Kumar, his wife Neelam, and associate Vipin Kumar concludes today. Law enforcement authorities and the CBI are set to produce them before the local court to seek further production remand for detailed interrogation.

Deadlock Persists: 10 Days On, Autopsy Awaited

Even after 10 days since the incident, Parvinder Singh Jhota’s mortal remains remain at the Mansa Civil Hospital mortuary, as the post-mortem and cremation remain stalled. The grieving family and the local Action Committee continue their protest, pressing for their charter of demands.

A second round of negotiations between the government-appointed three-member women IAS officers' Special Investigation Team (SIT) and the Action Committee ended without a final breakthrough on Wednesday. IAS officer Apneet Riyait noted that while action on key points—including the initiation of the CBI probe—has been met, discussions on remaining demands will resume once the Action Committee completes its internal deliberations.

SGPC Extends Financial Aid; Portrait to be Installed in Sikh Museum

Giani Tek Singh Dhanaula, Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib, visited the injured individuals receiving treatment at the Mansa Civil Hospital. Attending the protest site, he handed over relief cheques of ₹5 lakh each on behalf of the Shiromani Gurdwara Parbandhak Committee (SGPC) to the families of the injured.

Announcing that an antim ardas (prayer service) would be coordinated across Gurdwaras, the Jathedar stated that Jhota sacrificed his life fighting social evils, declaring him a martyr whose portrait will be installed in the Central Sikh Museum.