Even 18 days after anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was shot dead in Punjab's Mansa district, his post-mortem examination and last rites remain pending, with the deadlock between his family and the state government continuing.
As of October 30, Jhota's body remains at the mortuary of Mansa Civil Hospital. His family and the Insaaf Committee have refused to give consent for the post-mortem and cremation until their key demands are fulfilled.
Shot dead inside medical store on October 13
Jhota, a 42-year-old anti-drug activist, was shot dead on October 13 inside a medical store in a crowded marketplace in Mansa. The incident reportedly followed a confrontation with the store owner, Ashwani Kumar, over the alleged sale of addictive medicines.
The firing took place while Jhota was livestreaming the confrontation on Facebook. Four other people also sustained bullet injuries in the incident.
Police arrested four accused in connection with the murder. The case was subsequently transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which formally took over the investigation on October 21.
CBI proposes post-mortem at PGIMER
Following the family's demand for a central investigation, the CBI registered a fresh FIR and began its investigation in the case. The agency also proposed that Jhota's post-mortem be conducted by a panel of expert doctors at the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, with a magistrate conducting the inquest.
However, the family has maintained that the post-mortem and cremation will not take place until its demands are addressed.
Family remains firm on demands
The family and the Insaaf Committee have continued to seek accountability over the circumstances surrounding Jhota's killing. Among their principal demands are the resignations of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav.
Jhota's father, Bhim Singh, has also demanded the transfer of Mansa SSP Vaibhav Chaudhary and questioned the action taken against officials following the incident.
During earlier rounds of discussions, the state government agreed to several demands, including the CBI investigation, a post-mortem by PGIMER doctors, security for the family, a statue in Jhota's memory and a proposed trauma centre named after him. The government also announced action against officials and medical stores over alleged violations.
CM says government has accepted legitimate demands
On October 26, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that the government had accepted all legitimate demands raised by Jhota's family and that the decision regarding the post-mortem and last rites rested with the family.
However, the deadlock has continued. According to the latest reports on October 30, Jhota's parents and supporters remain firm on their demands, while a joint protest seeking justice for him and another victim, Daljit Singh, continues in Mansa.
With the post-mortem and cremation still pending, the family continues to seek accountability, while the CBI investigation into Jhota's killing remains underway.