Anti-Drug Activist Parvinder Jhota Shot Dead at Mansa Chemist Shop During Facebook Liveਮਾਨਸਾ: ਨਸ਼ਾ ਵਿਰੋਧੀ ਕਾਰਕੁਨ ਪਰਵਿੰਦਰ ਝੋਟਾ ਦਾ ਫੇਸਬੁੱਕ ਲਾਈਵ ਦੌਰਾਨ ਕੈਮਿਸਟ ਦੁਕਾਨ 'ਤੇ ਕਤਲ

Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh, widely known as Jhota, was shot dead at a chemist shop in Mansa on Tuesday, October 13, 2026, while he was live on Facebook questioning the shop owner about alleged drug sales. Four companions were also injured, The Tribune reported.

The shooting has already turned political, with Punjab Congress chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring blaming the state government's law and order, while the family has said it will not cremate the body until justice is done.

What happened at the Mansa chemist shop?

Jhota was questioning the shop owner over the alleged sale of drugs to a man and recording the argument on his phone, The Tribune reported. A 5.48-minute video was streamed on his Facebook page. Punjab Newsline, which described the footage, said that after about four minutes and 15 seconds of heated exchanges Jhota could be heard saying the owner had taken out a pistol, and shots followed before the phone fell to the ground.

All five injured were taken to the Civil Hospital in Mansa, where Jhota was declared brought dead. Civil Surgeon Dr Gurmail Singh told The Tribune that Jhota had three bullet injuries, two in the abdomen and one in the thigh, and that one bullet pierced his liver. The other four had minor bullet injuries, he said, though Punjab Newsline reported one associate as critical.

Who is accused?

The Tribune, Punjab Newsline and ABP Live all report that the chemist shop owner, named as Ashwani Kumar, is accused of opening fire. Punjab Newsline said he shut the shop and fled. These are allegations at this stage; ABP Live noted that the circumstances had not been independently established, and the police investigation is continuing.

Who was Parvinder Singh Jhota?

Jhota rose to prominence in 2023 for his campaign against the alleged sale of banned capsules and pills at medical stores in Mansa and nearby areas, and his videos circulated widely on social media. Punjab Newsline reported that several village panchayats passed anti-drug resolutions after his efforts.

The Tribune reported that, in 2023, Jhota and his supporters had allegedly paraded the same shop owner through the market with a garland of shoes around his neck. Jhota was arrested after that episode, and the case prompted a debate over drugs, police action and people taking the law into their own hands.

What are the reactions?

Raja Warring said on X that the broad-daylight murder was a result of what he called the failed law and order and the failed "Yudh Nashean Virudh" campaign of the Bhagwant Mann government, and that Jhota's initiatives were never supported. Mansa SSP Vaibhav Chaudhary described the incident as tragic and called Jhota a social worker, The Tribune reported. Jhota's father said the family would not cremate the body until justice was delivered, and a large crowd gathered at the Civil Hospital.

Who was shot dead in Mansa?

Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh, known as Jhota, was shot dead at a chemist shop in Mansa on October 13, 2026.

Who is accused of the shooting?

The chemist shop owner, named as Ashwani Kumar in reports, is accused of firing the shots. The allegation is yet to be tested; police are investigating.

Was the shooting recorded?

Yes. Jhota was streaming live on Facebook, and a 5.48-minute video of the argument was posted on his page, according to The Tribune.