Hindustan Times explained: why it is trending

Published 21 October 2026 at 7:01 am IST · 10 sources · 2000+ searches today

Hindustan Times is trending because Union Home Minister Amit Shah visited Punjab on 20 October 2026 after the murder of anti-drug activist Parvinder Singh Jhota and the controversy around his cremation. The case has now been sent to the CBI, making it a major law-and-order story and a BJP–AAP political clash as of 21 October 2026.

What happened in Punjab

Amit Shah met the families of Parvinder Singh Jhota in Mansa, Gulzar Singh in Sangrur, and Bikramjit Singh in Gurdaspur during his Punjab visit on 20 October 2026. The meetings focused on deaths that have been linked publicly to the state’s drug crisis.

Jhota, 42, was shot dead on 13 October inside a medical store in Mansa while speaking out against the alleged illegal sale of addictive substances. His case has become the most visible part of the story because it led to a public standoff over cremation and demands for stronger action.

Why the case drew national attention

Jhota’s family and an action committee had refused to proceed with the cremation until they got stronger action and an independent investigation. A meeting with the Punjab government did not initially end the standoff, which kept the case in the headlines.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann later announced that the murder probe would be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation. Shah told the family that a CBI team would reach Mansa by noon on 21 October to take charge and record statements.

The wider background

Shah also met the families of Gulzar Singh, who died by suicide on 7 September, and Bikramjit Singh, who was killed. Those two deaths were presented as part of the wider crisis linked to drugs in Punjab.

Shah attacked the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government over the alleged open availability of drugs and said he would work to make Punjab drug-free. The issue has now become a direct political flashpoint ahead of the 2027 Assembly election.

What to watch next

The main immediate development to watch is the CBI taking over Jhota’s case and recording statements in Mansa. That will show whether the investigation moves faster and whether the family’s demand for stronger action is met.

It is also unclear whether the other two cases will be sent to the CBI if they cannot be solved by the state police. As of 21 October 2026, the public link to the drug menace is clear, but the precise legal findings and motive in each case are still under investigation.

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