The house of Ashwani Kumar, the medical shop owner accused of shooting dead anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, was partially demolished in Mansa, Punjab, on Wednesday, October 14, 2026, hours after his arrest in Rajasthan’s Churu district. The demolition was carried out by the district administration amid heavy police deployment, with officials citing alleged unauthorised construction.
Meanwhile, an angry crowd vandalised and set fire to Kumar’s medical shop, where the fatal shooting reportedly took place. Jhota’s killing on Tuesday, October 13, triggered protests and renewed concerns about Punjab’s drug problem and the safety of people confronting suspected drug sellers. The developments have raised questions about law enforcement, public anger and the need for justice through due process.
Police Deployed To Maintain Order
The demolition drive targeted the front portion of Kumar’s multi-storey residence in the Veer Nagar area of Mansa. An excavator was deployed to pull down the structure as police personnel maintained a heavy presence to prevent further unrest. The action also extended to his medical shop, which became the focus of public anger following Jhota’s death. Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Vaibhav Choudhary said the police had been deployed to maintain peace while the administration carried out its operation.
“We are here to maintain law and order,” he told reporters, adding that the administration had received information about alleged illegal construction and was taking action in connection with it. Bathinda Deputy Inspector General Harjit Singh also said the demolition was undertaken after the required formalities had been completed, according to media reports. However, the situation turned volatile when a crowd vandalised Kumar’s shop and set the premises ablaze. Reports said some people removed medicines from the establishment before the fire was started. The incidents took place despite the presence of police personnel, underlining the challenge of containing tensions after the killing.
Jhota Was Shot During Confrontation
Parvinder Singh Jhota was known for campaigning against drug abuse and confronting people suspected of selling addictive substances in Mansa. On Tuesday, he reportedly confronted Kumar at his medical shop over the alleged sale of habit-forming medicines to an elderly man. The argument escalated, and Kumar allegedly opened fire, fatally shooting Jhota. The confrontation was reportedly captured during a Facebook Live broadcast, drawing further attention to the incident. Jhota was rushed to hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Four of his companions were also reported to have sustained injuries during the shooting.
Kumar fled after the incident, prompting a search operation by police teams. He was subsequently arrested in a joint operation by Punjab and Rajasthan Police in the Salasar area of Rajasthan’s Churu district. Police also arrested an alleged associate accused of helping him escape and reportedly recovered a pistol believed to have been used in the crime. The investigation is expected to establish the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the precise sequence of events. Jhota’s family and supporters have demanded justice, with reports stating that his family initially refused to perform his last rites until their demands were addressed.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
The killing of Parvinder Singh Jhota is a deeply troubling reminder of the risks faced by people who challenge suspected drug-related activities in their communities. Punjab’s drug crisis requires sustained action from the authorities, including effective investigations, accountability, prevention programmes and accessible rehabilitation services. Anyone accused of a crime must face a fair investigation and the legal process, while those raising concerns about drug abuse must be able to do so without fear of violence. At the same time, public anger cannot justify arson, vandalism or threats against individuals and their property.
Administrative demolitions must also follow the law, with transparent grounds and appropriate safeguards. Justice for Jhota should not become an excuse for further violence or a substitute for addressing the wider problem of substance abuse. Authorities must ensure that the murder investigation proceeds fairly, those responsible are held accountable and peace is restored in Mansa. How can communities and authorities work together to tackle Punjab’s drug problem while ensuring justice, protecting anti-drug campaigners and preventing mob violence?
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