Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called on Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to transfer the investigations of two additional deaths of anti-drug activists to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), stating the state government “will not be able to handle it.” Shah made the appeal on October 20 following the CBI’s takeover of the murder case of Parminder Singh Jhota.During a press conference in Ludhiana after a day-long visit to Punjab, Assuring that the CBI would pursue those responsible for Jhota’s killing regardless of their influence, Shah commented, “This morning, upon returning after celebrating his birthday, Bhagwant Mann Ji did one good thing—he handed over one inquiry to the CBI. I want to give my word to the people of Punjab: in the case handed over to us, whoever is found guilty—no matter how powerful or big they are—we will track them down even from the depths of the earth and hand them over to the law. We will bring them before the court.”He added, “And today, I also want to appeal to the Chief Minister: you will not be able to handle it. Hand over the remaining two cases to the CBI as well. That is also the demand of their family members.”Shah said he met the families of Bikramjit Singh in Gurdaspur, Gulzar Singh in Sangrur, and Parminder Singh Jhota in Mansa, all of whom were either murdered or driven to suicide for opposing the drug mafia.father and family of Parminder Singh Jhota, who is fighting against drugs. Acceding to the family’s demand, we are handing over this case to the CBI,” Mann stated.Reaffirming the government’s commitment to combating drug trafficking, Mann said, “Our fight against drug peddlers is decisive. Whatever strict steps are required to make Punjab drug-free, we will not back down.”The case relates to Parminder Singh Jhota, an anti-drug activist who was shot dead on October 13 during a confrontation with a medical store owner over the alleged sale of addictive substances. Jhota was taken to hospital with bullet injuries but later succumbed. The incident sparked protests, including a statewide bandh called on October 15 by farmers’ and workers’ organisations.
Amit Shah urges Punjab CM to hand over two drug death cases to CBI
