Punjab Police Arrest Accused in Jhota Killing

Punjab Police arrested Ashwani Kumar, the medical-store owner accused of fatally shooting anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, in Salasar, Rajasthan, on October 14, officials said. The arrest followed a confrontation at Kumar’s store in Mansa the previous day, when Jhota was shot while recording the exchange on Facebook Live. Police identified Kumar as the accused in the October 13 shooting. Jhota, who campaigned against drug abuse and alleged illegal sales of addictive medicines, had confronted the store owner over claims that drugs had been sold to an elderly man. The allegations about the sale have not been established in court, and police are investigating the circumstances that led to the shooting. Jhota was taken to hospital, where he died from his injuries. Four companions were also reported wounded. Police said an associate who helped Kumar escape was arrested on October 13. The investigation is continuing, and the available reports do not establish a final motive. The killing prompted protests in Mansa. Jhota’s family refused to cremate his body as a protest, while supporters vandalised and set fire to the medical store where he was shot.