The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has granted an X-category security cover to the family of the slain Punjab anti-drug activist, Parvinder Singh Jhota.
The security cover has been approved by Union Home Minister Amit Shah days after he met the deceased’s family members in Mansa. The activist, who is also referred to as Parvinder Chota, was shot by a medical shop owner and later succumbed to his injuries after being rushed to a hospital on October 13.
The incident had ignited a political firestorm in the state, with opposition parties attacking the CM Bhagwant Mann-led government over the alleged failure of law and order and questioning the effectiveness of Punjab’s drive against drugs.
Days after Jhota’s murder, the Centre, after the assessment of the security situation, deployed a team of nearly 10 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel to Mansa, Punjab, to protect his family.
What’s An X-Category Security?
The X-category security cover comprises multiple armed personnel who are designated to protect the primary family members.
Amit Shah Meets Jhota’s Family
Home Minister Amit Shah, during his visit to Mansa and meeting Jhota’s family members on October 20, directed the authorities to provide an X-category security cover after they expressed severe concerns for their safety and demanded a CBI probe into the murder.
Who Was Parvinder Singh Jhota?
Parvinder Singh Jhota was a prominent anti-drug crusader who led the ‘Nasha Roko, Rozgaar Do‘ campaign. Jhota was shot dead in broad daylight in Mansa on October 13, 2026, while livestreaming a confrontation with a local chemist accused of illegally selling synthetic narcotics.
Following the broad daylight murder and subsequent widespread public outrage, the family received severe retaliatory threats, prompting the central intervention.
The Punjab Police, in a joint operation with Rajasthan Police had earlier arrested the main shooter involved in the murder from Salasar, Rajasthan, officials said.
According to Salasar Station House Officer (SHO) Shankar Lal Bhari, the accused sharpshooter was arrested from the Shri Ganganagar Dharamshala, situated near the Salasar Balaji Temple, where he was reportedly hiding in disguise.
CBI Takes Over Jhota’s Murder Case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on October 21 officially took over the investigation into the murder of anti-drug activist and re-registered the case, officials confirmed.
A senior team from the premier anti-corruption probe agency reached Mansa to take over case records, gather seizures, and investigate potential links between the murder and the open sale of banned psychotropic substances at chemist shops.