Political sparring over the murder of anti-drug activist Parminder Singh Jhota intensified in Punjab on Tuesday, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announcing that the case would be handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), triggering sharp reactions from the BJP and Congress ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s visit to the state.
Mann announced the decision in a post on X, saying the state government stood with Jhota’s father and family, who had been fighting against drugs. “Our fight against drug dealers is absolute. The announcement has triggered a fresh political confrontation, with the opposition questioning the state government’s handling of the drug menace and law and order, while the ruling Aam Aadmi Party government has maintained its commitment to combating drug trafficking. The BJP leader’s remarks have added a political dimension to the case, with the opposition seeking to turn the transfer of the investigation into a question of accountability for the state government’s anti-drug campaign. Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh also attacked the BJP over the drug problem, alleging that the narcotics trade had expanded during the party’s years in power in Gujarat and at the Centre. The decision to transfer the investigation to the CBI has emerged as a fresh flashpoint in Punjab’s drug debate, with the ruling AAP, BJP and Congress trading allegations over responsibility for the crisis.
He said the decision to transfer the case to the CBI had been taken in response to the family’s demand. We will not step back from taking whatever tough steps are required to make Punjab drug-free,” Mann said in his post.
