Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was shot dead in Punjab’s Mansa district after confronting a medical store owner over the alleged illegal sale of intoxicating medicines. The confrontation was livestreamed on Facebook, with the video capturing a heated argument before gunshots rang out.
BY PC Bureau
October 13: October 13: A campaign against the alleged illegal sale of intoxicating medicines ended in a fatal shooting in Punjab on Tuesday, when anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was shot dead during a confrontation with a medical store owner that was being livestreamed on Facebook.
Jhota, who had built a following by publicly challenging chemists over alleged illegal sales of addictive substances, was standing outside the shop with an elderly man who he claimed had bought drugs from the establishment. What began as a heated exchange escalated into gunfire, with the entire confrontation unfolding before viewers watching the live broadcast.
In the roughly five-minute video, the shop owner can be seen holding a pistol as Jhota questions why he is carrying a gun and demands CCTV footage. Jhota repeatedly challenges him, saying, “Maar mujhe, maar mujhe” (“Kill me, kill me”), while urging his associates to call the police and bring more people to the spot.
The shop owner asks the elderly man whether he had purchased drugs from him. Jhota responds that they have a recording of the alleged transaction. The argument continues for several minutes before the shop owner allegedly opens fire, killing the activist. Jhota’s phone falls to the ground, abruptly ending the livestream.
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The shop owner fled after the shooting and remained at large, according to the account provided. The video contains disturbing footage and explicit language.
Breaking: Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was reportedly shot dead in Mansa this morning by a medical store owner.
Jhota had reportedly visited the medical store over allegations that the owner was selling intoxicating capsules. https://t.co/cGXZT3KoWF— Gagandeep Singh (@Gagan4344) October 13, 2026
Jhota, who had more than 24,000 Facebook followers, had spent years confronting medical store owners over alleged illegal sales of intoxicating substances in Mansa and surrounding areas. He regularly posted videos of these interventions on social media.
He first attracted wider attention in 2023 following a dispute with a medical store owner on July 12. Police registered cases against Jhota and some of his associates. He was arrested that month on allegations including assault, trespass and rioting, and was released about two months later.
Opposition targets Punjab government over anti-drug campaign
The killing triggered criticism from opposition parties, with leaders questioning the effectiveness of the Aam Aadmi Party government’s campaign against drugs and the enforcement of regulations governing the sale of intoxicating medicines.
Punjab BJP chief Sunil Jakhar said the incident had exposed the reality of the state government’s anti-drug drive. He questioned why drug inspectors had failed to prevent the alleged illegal sale of medicines through chemist shops.
Congress leader Amarinder Singh Raja Warring described the killing as a “direct result” of the alleged breakdown of law and order and criticised the Mann government’s Yudh Nashian Virudh campaign. He also claimed that Jhota had received no support from the AAP government in his efforts to expose alleged illegal drug sales.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia raised questions about the availability of pharmaceutical drugs, enforcement action and the accountability of drug inspectors. He also referred to recent acknowledgements by senior police officials about the growing problem.
There was no immediate response from AAP leaders to the opposition’s criticism.
Drug problem back in focus
Jhota’s killing has brought renewed attention to drug abuse and allegations of intoxicating medicines being sold illegally through medical stores in Punjab, where the drug problem remains a major political and public concern.
The incident also raises questions about the risks faced by people who publicly confront alleged wrongdoing and the role of law-enforcement agencies in investigating suspected illegal sales of controlled or intoxicating substances.
The political fallout comes against the backdrop of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s earlier pledge to make Punjab drug-free by the end of 2029. The shooting is likely to intensify scrutiny of the state’s anti-drug campaign and the enforcement mechanisms intended to curb the illegal supply of intoxicating substances.
