Punjab Assembly Suspends Khaira for Session as Congress Storms Well Over Jhota Murderਝੋਟਾ ਕਤਲ 'ਤੇ ਕਾਂਗਰਸ ਦਾ ਹੰਗਾਮਾ, ਖਹਿਰਾ ਸੈਸ਼ਨ ਦੇ ਬਾਕੀ ਸਮੇਂ ਲਈ ਮੁਅੱਤਲ

The Punjab Assembly on Friday, 23 October 2026, suspended Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira for the rest of the ongoing session, after Congress members stormed the well of the House on the second day demanding Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's resignation over the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, PTI, The Hindustan Times and The Tribune reported.

What happened in the House?

As Question Hour began, Leader of the Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa and other Congress MLAs asked Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan to take up their letter first, The Hindustan Times reported. When the Speaker asked them not to disrupt Question Hour, they entered the well and raised slogans against the AAP government. According to the report, they carried a poster titled "Laanat Patra" (Letter of Shame) accusing the government of failing on law and order, drug control and gangsterism. Treasury-bench MLAs raised counter-slogans.

Why was Khaira suspended?

PTI reported that Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema moved the motion against Khaira, accusing him of using unparliamentary language against the chair and deliberately defying its orders during the Congress protest. The Speaker read out the motion and suspended Khaira for the remainder of the session, Amar Ujala and ETV Bharat reported. Cheema also attacked Khaira over an alleged link to a drugs case, according to The Tribune; these are allegations made in the House.

What did Congress do outside the House?

The Tribune reported that Congress MLAs led by Bajwa and Punjab Congress chief Pargat Singh, protested outside the Vidhan Sabha wearing black robes and carrying the letter of condemnation. ABP News said Bajwa linked the demand to the stand of Jhota's family, which, per the party, has refused to allow the post-mortem and funeral until the chief minister resigns. Congress later walked out, according to HT and The Tribune.

How did the government respond?

Minister Tarunpreet Singh Sond said Congress has always behaved this way and walks out, Amar Ujala reported. The ruling side says the opposition is avoiding debate on farmers' issues; the Speaker told members that if they wished to protest, there was the whole day for it, ETV Bharat reported.

What is the background?

Jhota was shot dead in Mansa on 13 October. The CBI has taken over the case. His family and an action committee have been protesting for days, and the session runs until 27 October.

Who is Sukhpal Singh Khaira?

Khaira is a Congress MLA from Bholath and a former Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly.

How long is the suspension?

For the remainder of the ongoing session, which the schedule says runs to 27 October.

Who moved the motion?

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema moved it; the Speaker announced the suspension.