Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was shot dead in Punjab’s Mansa district on Tuesday, October 13, after confronting a medical store owner over allegations of illegally selling addictive substances. The fatal shooting occurred while the activist was broadcasting the confrontation live on Facebook.
Jhota, who had gained recognition for exposing the alleged illegal sale of habit-forming drugs at pharmacies across Punjab, was questioning the shopkeeper outside his establishment when the confrontation escalated into a heated argument.
In a five-minute Facebook Live video, Jhota was seen accompanied by an elderly man whom he identified as someone who had allegedly purchased drugs from the medical store.
During the confrontation, Jhota accused the shopkeeper of selling illegal substances and demanded access to the store’s CCTV footage. He also claimed to possess video evidence supporting the allegations.
The shopkeeper, who was seen holding a pistol during the exchange, questioned the elderly man about whether he had purchased drugs from the establishment.
Jhota repeatedly challenged the shopkeeper over the presence of the firearm and was heard urging his associates to contact the police and gather additional people at the scene.
As tensions intensified, Jhota continued confronting the armed shopkeeper, at one point repeatedly daring him to shoot.
The argument lasted approximately four minutes before the shopkeeper allegedly opened fire, fatally shooting the activist.
The incident has drawn attention to the dangers faced by individuals attempting to expose suspected illegal drug distribution networks in Punjab, where substance abuse and the unauthorized sale of addictive medicines remain serious public concerns.
Jhota had been actively involved in campaigning against the alleged misuse and illegal distribution of pharmaceutical drugs, frequently using social media to document confrontations and raise awareness about suspected violations.
The circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting have raised concerns about the safety of anti-drug campaigners and the risks associated with confronting suspected offenders.
Further details regarding the police investigation, the suspect’s custody status and any criminal charges were not immediately available in the initial report.
