Mansa, Oct. 21 -- The CBI has taken over the probe into the killing of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota after registering a case in the matter, officials said on Wednesday, while the Congress blamed the Punjab government for allegedly failing to tackle the drug menace.

Amid mounting opposition criticism, a senior AAP leader claimed a deputy superintendent of police (DSP) and a drug inspector were suspended on Wednesday in connection with the murder case.

Official word on the suspensions was awaited.

Known for raising his voice against the illegal sale of addictive substances at chemist shops, Jhota was shot dead in broad daylight inside a medical store at a busy marketplace in Mansa on October 13.

He was shot dead by the store owner after the activist questioned him for selling drugs to an elderly man. Jhota was hosting a Facebook Live at the time of the incident.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has taken over the investigation into the murder of Jhota after registering a case. A special team comprising drug controllers, forensic experts and GST officials reached Mansa on Tuesday night and formally requested the police to hand over documents related to the case, the officials said.

According to procedure, the CBI re-registers an FIR filed by the state police before conducting its investigation. The agency's final report is based on the findings of its probe, which may or may not substantiate the allegations.

The CBI team reached the victim's house and met his family, the officials said.

The post-mortem examination will be conducted at PGIMER, Chandigarh, by a team of experts, while a magistrate will conduct the inquest in Chandigarh, they said.

This comes after the Punjab government's Department of Home Affairs granted consent on October 20 for the central agency to exercise its powers and jurisdiction across the state for the investigation.

Over a week after Jhota was shot dead, his post-mortem and cremation are yet to take place as his family members and supporters have refused to allow last rites until justice is delivered. They are protesting in Mansa.

Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.