The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) took over the murder case of anti‑drug crusader Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa, Punjab, on Tuesday night after the state police relinquished control, citing demands for an independent probe from Jhota’s family and opposition leaders.
The transfer came a day after Home Minister Amit Shah flew to Punjab to meet Jhota’s grieving relatives, a move that amplified calls for transparency and pressed the AAP government to act.
Jhota, notorious for exposing local drug syndicates, was shot dead outside his home on Monday evening, an act that has stoked fears among activists and prompted the BJP to accuse the AAP of failing to curb the drug menace.
The CBI will launch its investigation on Wednesday, with Chief Investigating Officer Manoj Kumar announcing that evidence collection will begin immediately; the agency has pledged to cooperate fully with the state while the AAP government says it will support the probe.