Jhota Family Rejects Punjab's Written Response, Post-Mortem Still Blockedਝੋਟਾ ਪਰਿਵਾਰ ਨੇ ਸਰਕਾਰ ਦਾ ਲਿਖਤੀ ਜਵਾਬ ਠੁਕਰਾਇਆ, ਪੋਸਟਮਾਰਟਮ ਅਜੇ ਵੀ ਰੁਕਿਆ

The family of slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota and the action committee backing them on Friday, October 23, 2026, turned down the Punjab government's written response to their demands and said they would not allow a post-mortem until the Chief Minister and the DGP resign, The Tribune and Punjab News Express reported. The standoff in Mansa now enters its second week, with Jhota's body still at the Civil Hospital mortuary.

The response was handed over by a three-member panel of senior IAS officers during the third round of talks. Jhota's father Bhim Singh and wife Manpreet Kaur attended. Earlier developments are in our [report on the family's refusal of a post-mortem](/news/punjab/jhota-family-refuses-post-mortem-until-cm-dgp-resign-day-10/).

What did the government offer?

Panel head Apneet Riyait, Special Secretary in the Housing and Urban Development Department, said the murder case had already been handed to the CBI, which has begun its probe, The Tribune reported. The government agreed to a post-mortem by a panel of senior PGIMER Chandigarh doctors, to install a statue of Jhota in a government park or stadium in Mansa, and to provide security cover to the family.

NDTV India reported that the written reply also covers a trauma centre in Jhota's name and starting the process to withdraw cases registered against him and his associates. Riyait said most of the 14 demands had been accepted in writing and that another meeting would follow once the committee deliberates.

Why did the family say no?

The action committee held that the first two demands, the resignations of CM Bhagwant Mann and DGP Gaurav Yadav, remain non-negotiable. Punjab News Express said it rejected the written assurances on 12 of 14 demands. Manpreet Kaur said the resignations were the main demand and that "those running the government are directly responsible", The Tribune reported.

The committee also said the panel gave no timeline or funding for the trauma centre, and that if the panel lacks authority, the Cabinet or other competent authorities should come to the table.

What happens next?

Punjabi Jagran reported that the committee announced statewide protests on October 25, burning brooms, the AAP's symbol, across Punjab. The allegations against the government are the committee's claims; the government says it has acted on the demands within its remit, including suspending a DSP and a drug inspector earlier this week.

Where is the murder probe?

The CBI took over the case on October 21 and has questioned the family. The chemist accused in the shooting, who was arrested earlier, is in judicial custody, and his licence was cancelled by the Punjab Pharmacy Council, The Tribune reported.

Has the post-mortem been done?

No. As of Friday evening it has not been carried out, and cremation is also pending.

Which demands has the government accepted?

In writing: CBI probe, PGIMER post-mortem, a statue, security cover, plus a trauma centre and withdrawal of cases per NDTV. Not accepted: the resignations of the CM and DGP.