Jhota's Family Refuses Post-Mortem Until CM, DGP Resign; Protest at Day 10ਝੋਟਾ ਦਾ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਮੁੱਖ ਮੰਤਰੀ, ਡੀਜੀਪੀ ਦੇ ਅਸਤੀਫ਼ੇ ਤੱਕ ਪੋਸਟਮਾਰਟਮ ਤੋਂ ਇਨਕਾਰੀ, ਧਰਨਾ ਦਸਵੇਂ ਦਿਨ

The family of slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota said on Thursday, 22 October 2026, that they will not allow a post-mortem examination until their demands are met, including the resignations of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and DGP Gaurav Yadav, The Times of India and The Tribune reported.

His body has been lying in the mortuary of the Civil Hospital in Mansa since he was shot dead on 13 October.

What did the family say?

Jhota's wife, Manpreet Kaur, speaking in a 55-second video clip beside her father-in-law Bhim Singh, said a meeting with the action committee had decided that the post-mortem would not be allowed until the initial demands were met and that the protests would continue, according to The Times of India. The Tribune quoted her as saying, "We stand by the demands. We will continue our struggle till then."

Bhim Singh, an ex-serviceman, said the Sikh Panth had advised the family to get their demands accepted first and consent to the autopsy only afterwards, The Tribune reported.

What are the demands?

PTI reported that the joint action committee, made up of several organisations and social activists, has demanded the resignations of the chief minister and the DGP and the dismissal of the DSP, the SHO and the district drug inspector. The Tribune reported another key demand: that a panel of doctors from PGIMER, Chandigarh, conduct the post-mortem. The family is also seeking a trauma centre in Jhota's name and compensation for the injured, according to reports.

Where does the government stand?

The Punjab government suspended Mansa DSP Harjinder Singh Gill and a drug inspector, Naresh Kumar, on Wednesday, the Statesman reported. A government-appointed panel met the committee on Wednesday and expressed readiness to consider 12 of the 14 demands, The Times of India reported. No meeting took place on Thursday, but a committee member said they would meet the panel again on Friday.

State ministers, including AAP state president and minister Aman Arora, have repeatedly urged the family to permit the autopsy. Supporters are divided: some say delay risks losing crucial evidence, while others argue the evidence obtainable from an autopsy will not be compromised, the newspaper reported.

What is happening at the protest sites?

Two protests are under way, one at Tinkoni near the Deputy Commissioner's residence and the other at the Civil Hospital, where a large crowd, mainly Nihangs, keeps a round-the-clock vigil at the entrance, according to The Tribune and The Times of India. Thursday was the tenth day of the protest.

What has the CBI done so far?

The CBI took over the case and registered a fresh FIR on 21 October, and its team has visited the family and searched premises linked to the accused. Four accused have been sent to judicial custody until 5 November, India Today reported.

Why has the post-mortem not been done?

The family and the action committee have refused consent until their demands, including the resignations of the chief minister and the DGP, are accepted.

Who is on the government panel?

Reports say a government-appointed panel is negotiating with the action committee. It said on Wednesday it was ready to consider 12 of the 14 demands.

When is the next meeting?

A committee member told The Times of India they would meet the government panel on Friday, 23 October, to press for all demands.