{
  "id": 14359110,
  "title": "Punjab Anti-Drug Activist Murder Case: Medical Store Owner Ashwani Kumar Arrested In Rajasthan After Shooting Parvinder Singh Jhota Dead In Mansa",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/punjab-anti-drug-activist-murder-case-medical-store-owner-ashwani",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-14T03:16:48.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Press Journal",
    "slug": "free-press-journal",
    "url": "https://www.freepressjournal.in/india/punjab-anti-drug-activist-murder-case-medical-store-owner-ashwani-kumar-arrested-in-rajasthan-after-shooting-parvinder-singh-jhota-dead-in-mansa"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Medical store owner Ashwani Kumar has been arrested in Rajasthan, allegedly for shooting dead anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa district, Punjab. According to sources, Jhota was killed in broad daylight after confronting Kumar at his medical shop for allegedly selling drugs to an elderly man. The incident was recorded during a live Facebook session hosted by Jhota. After the murder, Kumar fled the scene and police initiated a manhunt to apprehend him. Jhota was known for his activism against drug abuse and the illegal sale of addictive substances in chemist shops. Following the murder, Jhota's supporters vandalized the medical store, and his family declined to cremate his body as a protest. The shooting incident has left the town of Mansa in a state of tension, with his supporters reacting strongly to the incident. The opposition parties have targeted the ruling AAP government, accusing them of a breakdown in law and order. They have also raised concerns about the safety of individuals who speak out against the drug menace.",
  "summary": "Chandigarh: The medical store owner who allegedly shot dead an anti-drug activist in Punjab's Mansa district has been nabbed from Rajasthan, sources said on Wednesday. Accused Ashwani Kumar has been taken into custody from Salasar, they further said. Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota was murdered in broad daylight on Tuesday after confronting the accused, who was running a medical shop,…",
  "key_points": [
    "Ashwani Kumar arrested in Rajasthan for killing anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota.",
    "Jhota killed in broad daylight after confronting Kumar at his medical shop.",
    "Incident sparked protests and criticism of the ruling AAP government's law and order."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The arrest of the alleged shooter highlights the growing dangers faced by community members who confront illegal pharmaceutical sales and challenges the local government's ability to maintain public order.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 4,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Hindu",
        "title": "Punjab anti-drug activist murder: Main accused nabbed from Rajasthan, says sources",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/punjab-anti-drug-activist-murder-main-accused-nabbed-from-rajasthan",
        "published": "2026-10-14T03:19:25.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "The Indian Express - India",
        "title": "India news Live Updates, 14 October 2026: Punjab anti-drug activist murder main accused nabbed from Rajasthan in Salasar",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/india-news-live-updates-14-october-2026-punjab-anti-drug-activist",
        "published": "2026-10-14T03:25:02.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "NDTV",
        "title": "Medical Store Owner Who Shot Dead Punjab Anti-Drug Activist Arrested",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/medical-store-owner-who-shot-dead-punjab-anti-drug-activist-arrested",
        "published": "2026-10-14T04:26:29.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}