Medical shop owner arrested in Rajasthan for killing anti‑drug activist in Punjab

Ashwani Kumar, the medical store owner accused of killing anti‑drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, was arrested in Salasar, Rajasthan, on Wednesday, sources said. The murder took place on Tuesday, 13 October 2026, in broad daylight in Mansa district, Punjab. Jhota had confronted Kumar over an alleged sale of drugs to an elderly man, and the shooting was streamed live on Facebook as Jhota hosted the session. The gunfire was captured on camera and the video spread quickly on social media. After the gunfire, Kumar fled the scene and police launched a manhunt that ended with his capture in Rajasthan. On the same day, police also detained an associate who had helped Kumar escape. The killing sparked immediate unrest in Mansa; supporters smashed windows of the medical shop and Jhota’s family refused to cremate his body as a protest. Opposition parties seized on the incident, accusing the AAP government of Bhagwant Mann of a "law‑and‑order breakdown" and labeling the situation "jungle raj". Leaders from several parties condemned the murder and called for stronger protection for activists. The murder raised serious questions about the safety of those who speak out against drug abuse. ## Context The case underscores the risks faced by anti‑drug campaigners in Punjab, where illegal sales at chemist shops remain a contentious issue and have often drawn violent backlash.