The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has intensified its investigation into the murder of Parvinder Singh Jhota, head of the Anti-Drug Task Force in Mansa, with teams collecting forensic evidence, questioning shop owners and examining the accused’s connections and weapons licence.
The agency is investigating the circumstances surrounding the October 13 murder, including the possible role of other individuals and the process through which the prime accused, medical store owner Ashwani Kumar, obtained his arms licence. Three CBI teams are reportedly working at different locations in Mansa.
Ashwani Kumar has been remanded to five days of CBI custody by a court in Mohali. The agency is expected to question him about the alleged murder conspiracy, his weapons and the possible involvement of others.
The CBI’s forensic team has collected samples from Ashwani Kumar’s medical store and a nearby shoe shop where Jhota reportedly collapsed after being shot and investigators have also questioned owners of shops located near the crime scene to gather information about the incident and reconstruct the sequence of events.
The agency is examining the evidence to establish what happened before, during and after the shooting. The investigation also includes the accused’s alleged connections with other individuals.
The issuance of an arms licence to Ashwani Kumar is another key aspect of the investigation.
According to the details provided, the Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) recommended the issuance of the licence on August 9, 2024, through letter number 91/NAL.
The recommendation reportedly mentioned five police cases registered against Kumar.
One of the cases cited was FIR No. 66, registered on April 4, 2024, at Mansa City-2 police station. The case was referred to in connection with his stated security requirements and the arms licence was subsequently issued on August 21, 2024, and was valid until August 20, 2029.
Under the licence, Kumar possessed a 7.62 mm pistol and a 12-bore shotgun. He was permitted to purchase up to 50 cartridges at a time, subject to an annual limit of 100 cartridges, according to the police, the accused used his licensed weapons in the murder. The CBI is examining the licence, related records and the circumstances under which it was granted.
A previous dispute between Jhota and Ashwani Kumar has emerged as a possible motive behind the murder, and according to the police investigation, Kumar allegedly held a grudge against Jhota following an incident in 2023, when Jhota reportedly paraded him through the city wearing a garland of shoes.
Police suspect that the incident left Kumar feeling humiliated and that he had been looking for an opportunity to harm Jhota. The CBI is investigating the circumstances surrounding the murder and the possible conspiracy behind it.
Police have also named Ashwani Kumar’s wife, Neelam Rani, as an alleged co-conspirator. According to the police, she was aware of her husband’s alleged plan but did not inform the authorities or attempt to stop him and her alleged role will be subject to examination through the investigation and judicial proceedings. The allegations against her have not been established by a court.
With Ashwani Kumar in CBI custody, investigators are expected to examine the alleged motive, the weapons used in the crime, the arms licence records and the possible involvement of other individuals. The investigation is ongoing, and the allegations against the accused and others remain subject to legal scrutiny.
