Chandigarh/Mansa, November 7, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota, who was shot dead in Mansa on October 13, will be cremated on Sunday, November 8, coinciding with Diwali, after his post-mortem examination was finally conducted at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, on Saturday afternoon.
The post-mortem was conducted 25 days after his killing, bringing an end to the prolonged delay in the medico-legal examination of his body amid a standoff between his family, supporters and the Punjab government.
According to members of the Jhota Insaaf Action Committee, his body will be taken from PGIMER to Mansa around 5 am on Sunday.
The cremation is scheduled between 12 noon and 1 pm at Jhota’s ancestral fields on Chakerian Road in Mansa, where arrangements for the last rites have been made.
The family and Action Committee have appealed to supporters to follow the revised programme for the cremation.
Jhota’s Father on Indefinite Hunger Strike, Demands Mansa SSP’s Transfer
Even as preparations for the cremation are underway, Jhota’s father, Bhim Singh, has begun an indefinite hunger strike demanding the transfer of Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Chaudhary.
Bhim Singh, a former Army serviceman, announced his fast at PGIMER on Friday and declared that he would not consume food until the SSP was transferred from Mansa.
He said he would take only water during the fast.
Bhim Singh has also demanded an investigation into the SSP’s role, alleging failures on the part of the district police in connection with the circumstances surrounding his son’s killing.
These allegations have not been established by any official inquiry or judicial finding.
Reports from Chandigarh on Saturday indicated that Bhim Singh’s health had deteriorated during the fast.
He has maintained that the transfer of the Mansa SSP remains an important unresolved demand despite the agreement reached earlier between the government and representatives of the family and Action Committee.
Government Official Disputes Claim Over SSP Transfer Demand
Additional Director General of Police Gautam Cheema, who participated in negotiations with the Jhota Insaaf Committee, has stated that the demand for the transfer of Mansa SSP Vaibhav Chaudhary was neither raised nor discussed during the formal talks.
Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, who was also involved in the negotiations, said he would speak to Bhim Singh and Action Committee members to resolve the issue.
There was no confirmed announcement regarding the SSP’s transfer at the time of filing this report.
Post-Mortem Delayed Due to Condition of Body
Jhota’s body had remained in the mortuary of Mansa Civil Hospital since his killing on October 13, as his family and supporters continued their agitation over demands for justice.
Following an agreement reached with Punjab government representatives on Wednesday, the family consented to the post-mortem, and the body was shifted to PGIMER late Thursday night.
The examination, initially expected on Friday, could not be completed because the body had remained in cold storage for more than three weeks and required preparation before the internal examination could be undertaken.
The post-mortem was eventually completed on Saturday afternoon, after which arrangements were made to take the body to Mansa for the final rites.
The cremation programme had earlier been announced for Friday and subsequently Saturday, but was revised following the delay in the examination.
Jhota Was Shot Dead on October 13
Parvinder Singh Jhota, known for his campaign against drug abuse and the alleged illegal sale of addictive medicines, was shot dead at a chemist shop in Mansa on October 13 following a confrontation over the alleged sale of such substances.
Four of his companions were also injured in the firing.
His killing triggered widespread protests, with family members and supporters demanding action against those responsible and accountability from officials.
The prolonged agitation led to negotiations involving Punjab Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khuddian, senior officials and representatives of the Jhota Insaaf Action Committee.
The Punjab government subsequently agreed to several demands, including handing over the murder investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), taking action against certain officials and addressing cases registered against protesters.
The release of several detained protesters, including Lakha Sidhana and Mohanjit Singh Sheron, also helped pave the way for the family to permit the post-mortem.
Family Rejects Compensation and Government Job
Meanwhile, Bhim Singh has publicly rejected suggestions that the family agreed to the cremation in return for financial compensation or a government job.
He said the family did not need the reported ₹2 crore compensation or employment offered to Jhota’s wife, Manpreet Kaur.
Jhota’s mother, Amarjit Kaur, has also maintained that the family had not demanded money or a government job.
Bhim Singh expressed resentment over social media claims concerning financial assistance to the family, saying their struggle was for justice rather than monetary benefits.
With the post-mortem now completed, attention has shifted to Sunday’s cremation and the continuing hunger strike by Jhota’s father over his demand for the transfer of the Mansa SSP.
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