Akali Dal Urges Punjab Governor to Dismiss CM Bhagwant Mann Following Jhotta Murder Case

Chandigarh, October 23 (Daily Kiran) : The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has formally requested Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to dismiss Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann in light of the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhotta. During a meeting on Friday, the party also urged the Governor to provide ₹2 crore in compensation to Jhotta’s family and secure a Class-One government job for his widow.

Led by party president Sukhbir Singh Badal, the delegation demanded action against ministers, legislators, and police officials accused of protecting drug traffickers and issuing firearm licenses to them. They emphasized the need for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to broaden its inquiry into Jhotta’s murder, including the case of Gulzar Singh from Dirba, who implicated Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema in his last statement. They also called for the investigation to cover the murder of Bikramjeet Singh from Hargobindpur Sahib, who was killed for opposing drug mafias.

Badal informed the Governor that corrective measures are essential to restore public trust, particularly as Punjab grapples with a severe drug crisis. He highlighted that Jhotta’s family, despite not seeking personal gain, deserves the state’s support. Since Jhotta’s wife is a teacher, Badal insisted she should be offered a gazetted Class-One position.

Accusing Chief Minister Mann of being responsible for Jhotta’s murder, Badal referenced a statement from Jhotta’s father, Bhim Singh, who detailed how his son fell victim to a political-police nexus in Punjab’s drug trade. Singh alleged that this collusion is protected at the highest levels, implicating Mann.

The memorandum submitted by the SAD aims to send a clear message to the people of Punjab that enough is enough. Badal stated, “The people of Punjab understand that the drug problem and those who promote and protect it are the state’s greatest enemies and must be dealt with severely.”