Jhota Murder: Chemist Ashwani Kumar Arrested From Rajasthan's Salasarਝੋਟਾ ਕਤਲ: ਮੁਲਜ਼ਮ ਕੈਮਿਸਟ ਅਸ਼ਵਨੀ ਕੁਮਾਰ ਰਾਜਸਥਾਨ ਦੇ ਸਾਲਾਸਰ ਤੋਂ ਗ੍ਰਿਫ਼ਤਾਰ

Punjab Police have arrested Ashwani Kumar, the chemist accused of shooting anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota dead in Mansa, from Salasar in Rajasthan on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, a day after the killing, according to India Today, The Hindu (citing PTI sources) and India TV. Mansa SSP Vaibhav Chaudhary told News18 India the weapon has also been recovered.

Supporters are still demanding a CBI inquiry, and a Punjab bandh has been called for Thursday, The Indian Express and Punjab News Express reported.

How was the accused caught?

Ashwani Kumar was taken into custody from Salasar, Rajasthan, where he had fled after the shooting, PTI sources said. Police had formed several teams to trace him, and Times Now Navbharat reported that they worked with Rajasthan Police. He is to be produced in court, Punjab News Express reported.

On Tuesday police had already arrested his cousin, named Vipin in The Times of India, for allegedly helping him escape, and family members were detained, The Tribune reported.

What do police say was the motive?

Bathinda Range DIG Harjeet Singh said the killing appeared to stem from an old personal enmity and that the accused seems to have used a licensed weapon, The Tribune reported. In 2023 Jhota and supporters had allegedly paraded the same chemist through the market with a garland of shoes. These are early police statements and the investigation is continuing.

What happened in Mansa on Tuesday?

Jhota was livestreaming on Facebook when he confronted the chemist over the alleged sale of banned drugs to an elderly man. The Times of India reported that the chemist drew a gun, fired, and then chased the injured activist into the market and shot again. Jhota died at Mansa Civil Hospital and four others were injured.

What are the family and opposition demanding?

Supporters sat in dharna outside the Mansa mortuary and said the last rites would not be held until their demands are met, including a CBI probe and the resignation of the DGP and Chief Minister, The Indian Express reported. Sukhbir Singh Badal and Bikram Majithia attacked the Mann government over law and order.

Has the main accused been arrested in the Jhota murder case?

Yes. Ashwani Kumar was arrested from Salasar in Rajasthan on October 14, reports say.

Was the weapon recovered?

Mansa SSP Vaibhav Chaudhary told News18 India that the weapon used has been recovered.

Is there a Punjab bandh?

Political groups and organisations have called a Punjab bandh for Thursday, October 15, demanding a CBI inquiry.