Who Was Parvinder Singh Jhota? Anti-Drug Activist Shot Dead In Punjab’s Mansa

Parvinder Singh, widely known as Parvinder Jhota, was an anti-drug activist from Mansa, Punjab, who was tragically shot dead in a chemist shop on October 13, 2026. Jhota gained notoriety for his tireless efforts to confront suspected drug peddlers and expose the illegal sale of addictive medicines. On the day of his death, he was confronted by Ashwani Kumar, the shop owner, over allegations of selling certain medicines to a customer.

Jhota was recording the interaction when the confrontation turned fatal, with Jhota succumbing to his injuries at Mansa Civil Hospital. The incident was captured on live video and shared on his Facebook page. Born and raised in Mansa, Jhota began his career as a freestyle kabaddi player before devoting himself to the cause of anti-drug activism.

He established an 'Anti-Drug Task Force' and personally confronted suspected drug dealers, following their apprehension with the police. His initiative, 'Nasha Roko, Rozgar Do' (Stop Drugs, Provide Employment), aimed to encourage collective action against drug abuse within villages, inspiring similar committees in Mansa and Bathinda.

Despite his significant impact on the anti-drug movement, Jhota's confrontational methods often led to clashes with law enforcement. In July 2023, Jhota and his supporters had publicly shamed Kumar, parading him through the market with a garland of shoes, accusing him of drug trafficking. This incident led to the filing of an FIR against Kumar, but Jhota was also subsequently booked for taking the law into his own hands.

The tragic shooting has drawn attention to this prior conflict between Jhota and the chemist, underscoring the volatile nature of his activism.