Punjab Vidhan Sabha session begins amid drug crisis and activist murder

The Punjab Vidhan Sabha has commenced its thirteenth session of the 16th assembly, with discussions expected to focus heavily on the state's drug crisis. The session follows the murder of anti-drug activist Parwinder Singh Jhota, who was shot dead on October 13, 2026, in Mansa while live-streaming on Facebook. Jhota was reportedly confronting a chemist over the alleged illegal sale of addictive drugs.

In the murder investigation, four individuals—Ashwini Kumar, Neelam Rani, Deepan Garg, and Ladi—have been remanded to judicial custody. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially taken over the probe following political pressure and demands from the victim's family. The Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police indicated that the CBI may take the accused into custody via a production warrant.

The legislative session will include tributes to several prominent figures, including former minister Bhagat Chuni Lal and former MP Virinder Singh Bajwa. However, the Leader of the Opposition, Partap Singh Bajwa, has signaled that the Mansa developments and the drug issue will be central to the upcoming debates between the ruling party and the opposition.