‘You won't be able to handle it’: Amit Shah targets Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann over drug deaths

Ludhiana: Following the transfer of Parminder Singh Jhota’s murder investigation to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday urged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to surrender probes into two further deaths of anti-drug activists to the central agency, asserting that the state administration "will not be able to handle it."

Speaking at a news conference in Ludhiana upon concluding a day-long tour of the state, Shah stated that he met the grieving relatives of Bikramjit Singh in Gurdaspur, Gulzar Singh in Sangrur, and Parwinder Singh Jhota in Mansa, all of whom were slain or driven to suicide for taking a stand against narcotics syndicates.

Pledging that the federal agency will prosecute those responsible for Jhota's death regardless of their stature, Shah took aim at Chief Minister Mann, stating, "This morning, upon returning after celebrating his birthday, Bhagwant Mann Ji did one good thing: he handed over one inquiry to the CBI. I want to give my word to the people of Punjab: in the case handed over to us, whoever is found guilty, no matter how powerful or big they are, we will track them down even from the depths of the earth and hand them over to the law. We will bring them before the court."

"And today, I also want to appeal to the Chief Minister: you will not be able to handle it. Hand over the remaining two cases to the CBI as well. That is also the demand of their family members," he added.

The Home Minister noted that the conditions recounted by the victims' relatives and local residents proved considerably more severe than official documentation indicated. "Meeting these three families, as well as the locals who were troubled and distressed by the chitta (drug) trade and had gathered at their homes, the reality of the situation in Punjab that they described turned out to be far more gut-wrenching and shattering than anything we read in official paper reports in Delhi," Shah said.

Rebutting political rivals who criticised his visit, Shah maintained his presence was strictly humanitarian. "Today, I came here merely to console grieving families; I had no political agenda whatsoever. Yet, abusive language was directed at me by name, and derogatory words were used. I only want to tell them: abusing me will achieve nothing. If doing so gives you satisfaction, by all means, take it. But at least put an end to the drug trade! Put an end to the chitta trade!" he stated.

Addressing claims concerning narcotics shipments moving through western maritime ports, Shah questioned how illicit substances penetrate local communities in Punjab without high-level complicity. "They cast blame on us, claiming drugs arrive from Gujarat's ports. From the ports of Gujarat and Maharashtra, drugs worth Rs 20,000 crore have been seized so far. What do they mean to say? Should we not seize them? We took action to stop it. And instead, you level allegations against us? How do these drugs, packaged into sachets, reach the young men and women of Punjab? Is this possible without political patronage? Not at all!" Shah asserted.

The Home Minister's statements followed an announcement earlier Tuesday by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann confirming the transfer of Parminder Singh Jhota's murder case to the CBI.

Writing on X, Mann affirmed that the state government stood resolutely alongside Jhota’s father and family in their crusade against narcotics, offering full administrative backing. “We stand firmly at all times with the father and family of Parminder Singh Jhota, who is fighting against drugs. Acceding to the family’s demand, we are handing over this case to the CBI,” Mann stated.

Reaffirming the state's resolve to dismantle drug networks, Mann emphasised that rigorous measures would continue to render Punjab drug-free. “Our fight against drug peddlers is decisive. Whatever strict steps are required to make Punjab drug-free, we will not back down,” he added.

The case stems from the October 13 fatal shooting of anti-drug campaigner Parminder Singh Jhota during an altercation with a pharmacy proprietor over the alleged distribution of habit-forming substances. Jhota was rushed to a medical facility with gunshot wounds but subsequently succumbed to his injuries. The killing sparked widespread outrage, prompting agricultural and labour unions to enforce a statewide shutdown on October 15.

ANI