Drugs in Punjab: AAP leader in a bind as police pick up whistleblower ‘Jhota’ in Mansa

The situation has put Chairman Gurpreet Singh Bhuchar and his party in a tight spot within their own government. Bhuchar, who has lost two brothers to addiction, has been vocal on social media about alleged failures in curbing drug smuggling by previous governments.

Parminder Singh Jhota’s journey to social media fame began around three months ago when he established an organisation to expose alleged drug smugglers through sting operations. His videos of purported drug busts gained widespread attention on various platforms.

On July 12, Jhota allegedly conducted a sting operation on a medical store owner in Mansa. During the operation, he purchased ‘signature’ capsules, which are prohibited under Section 144 in the area and are commonly used by addicts. Jhota, accompanied by 7-8 supporters, locked the medical store, confronted the owner, Ashwani Kumar, and allegedly assaulted him. They then paraded him with a garland of footwear’s around his neck through the main market in Mansa before taking him to the City police station.

An FIR was filed against Ashwani Kumar based on Jhota’s complaint, and he was released on bail the same night. However, the police took notice of the entire incident and filed FIRs against Parminder Singh Jhota and five others under sections 355, 451, 323, 148, and 149 IPC. Subsequently, Jhota was arrested from his residence, and the video of his arrest quickly went viral on social media. These charges were bailable, but the police also arrested Jhota in an old case registered in May on the complaint of another medical store owner, charging him with snatching and extortion. He is currently in judicial custody.

In another case, Jhota was booked by the police on the complaint of a medical store owner at Maur police station in Bathinda district, but the police have yet to take him on remand.

Meanwhile, showing his support for Jhota, Giani Harpreet Singh, the Jathedar of Takht Sri Damdama Sahib Talwandi Sabo, took to Facebook and said, “Arresting or threatening those who are fighting against drug smugglers indirectly aids drug dealers. If the government truly wishes to curb the drug epidemic, they should stand behind those who fight against drugs.”

Amidst the public uproar on social media over Jhota’s arrest, Mansa SSP Nanak Singh went live on Facebook to justify the arrest. Additionally, Bathinda range ADGP SPS Parmar took charge of the situation and presented a list of seven cases registered against Jhota dating back to 2009. The list includes a recent NDPS case from last year for the recovery of 20 grams of heroin. Jhota is also convicted in one attempt to murder case from 2009. While he has been acquitted in two cases mentioned in the police’s list, two are still under trial, and two remain under investigation.

Despite the pushback from the police, Jhota’s supporters remain undeterred. They acknowledge his past struggles as an addict and his ongoing recovery. According to Gurdeep Singh, a social activist against drug smuggling, Jhota has transformed his life, and his first-hand experience with addiction drives him to fight against drug smugglers. He is determined to take on those who once sold him drugs. Jhota is also getting support from the public and farmer organisations, and they plan to gather in Mansa on July 21 to express their solidarity with him.

AAP leader Bhuchar, also attended a gathering in Mansa on June 5, showing his support for Jhota.

Jhota’s lawyer Balwant Bhatia alleged the police have falsely registered an attempt to murder case against Jhota after a man he accused of selling drugs was involved in an accident and got injured. He said CCTV footage confirmed that the injuries were due to the accident and not linked to Jhota. As a result, the charges against him were withdrawn. Bhatia also accused the police of violating Jhota’s rights by making his positive dope test report public during police remand.

Voicing his support for Jhota, Bhuchar said, “My younger brother, Manpreet Singh Mani, was 29 years old when he died due to heroin addiction in 2015. My elder brother, Jaspreet Singh, died earlier this month due to liquor addiction. No one can be a greater victim of drugs than me. There should be no doubt that I understand the seriousness of the issue.”

Bhuchar criticised the police for the manner of Jhota’s arrest, saying it could have been handled differently. He mentioned that Jhota himself was willing to cooperate and present himself at the police station for arrest, making the police’s style of arrest unnecessary.

Regarding the impact on the party, Bhuchar said the incident was causing humiliation, and he intends to discuss the matter with the high command.

In response to Jhota’s arrest, ADGP, Bathinda, SPS Parmar defended the police’s actions, urging people to inform the police if they encounter drug smuggling. He said the government and police have taken action against drug smugglers, including suspending senior police officials. He said that taking the law into one’s hands is unacceptable and urged people to consider the families and children of those involved in such incidents.