The deadlock over the post-mortem and cremation of slain anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota continued on Saturday, October 24, after his father, Bhim Singh, demanded the transfer of Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vaibhav Chaudhary. The demand came a day after the third round of talks between the family, an action committee and the Punjab government ended without a resolution.
Bhim Singh said that he and Jhota’s wife, Manpreet Kaur, would not participate in further meetings with the government panel if the SSP was present. He alleged that the family was being treated disrespectfully during discussions with the administration and questioned the police response to his son’s murder.
In a recorded video released on Saturday, Bhim Singh alleged that the officer against whom the family had raised concerns was being allowed to sit in front of them during meetings. He also questioned the suspension of some officials and demanded copies of their suspension orders. He called for a detailed inquiry into the role of the officers concerned, claiming that the action taken so far was inadequate.
Bhim Singh also reiterated the family’s demand for the resignation of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav. He alleged that his son was murdered because the ruling government feared that Jhota could affect its prospects in the upcoming elections. These are allegations made by the victim’s father and have not been established as facts.
During Friday’s third round of talks, the government panel handed over a written response stating that several demands had been accepted. These included a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the murder, which has already begun, and a post-mortem examination by a panel of senior doctors from the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh.
The government also agreed to provide security to the family, install a statue of Jhota in Mansa and take action against medical stores found violating the prescribed rules.
However, the family and the action committee remained firm on their principal demands for the resignation of the Chief Minister and the DGP. They refused to allow the post-mortem examination until these demands were met.
As a result, Jhota’s body continues to remain at the mortuary of the Civil Hospital in Mansa, with the post-mortem and cremation still pending.
Jhota was allegedly shot at a chemist shop in Mansa on October 13 following a confrontation over the alleged sale of intoxicating medicines.
Four people have been arrested in connection with the murder: Ashwani, his wife Neelam Rani, his cousin Parveen Garg and an employee identified as Laddi. The pistol allegedly used in the crime has also been recovered.
The accused are currently in the custody of the CBI, which is investigating the case.
With the family now demanding the SSP’s transfer and refusing further meetings in his presence, the dispute over the next steps remains unresolved. The post-mortem and cremation will depend on whether the government and the family can reach an agreement on their outstanding demands.
