Main suspect in Punjab anti-drug activist's murder arrested in Rajasthan

The arrest has intensified the scrutiny on the Bhagwant Mann administration, as opposition leaders and the victim's family hold the government accountable for the deteriorating security environment. Jhota, recognized for his relentless campaigns against local drug traffickers, was killed by a medical shop owner in an incident captured on camera, sparking widespread outrage across the state.

Congress leaders including Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, Charanjit Singh Channi, and Sachin Pilot have accused the AAP government of complicity, alleging that drug peddlers operate with state protection. The BJP has similarly labeled the incident a failure of governance, questioning the safety of citizens when those challenging the drug mafia are targeted with impunity. Meanwhile, the National Human Rights Commission has intervened, demanding an action-taken report from state authorities.

Jhota’s family remains deeply critical of the official response, with his mother alleging that police failed to notify them immediately following the shooting. His father, who has appealed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the protection of his remaining family, vowed to persist in his son’s mission against the drug trade despite the loss.