Questions have been raised over the alleged links between Punjab’s illegal pharmaceutical drug trade, police records and the issuance of arms licences under the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government. The controversy centres on a medical store owner accused of shooting Parvinder Singh Jhota, with Congress leader Pargat Singh questioning how the individual reportedly obtained an arms licence despite a history of police cases and repeated action against his business.
According to the allegations raised by Pargat Singh, the medical store owner had five police cases registered against him. Drugs were reportedly recovered from his shop, and its licence was allegedly cancelled on three occasions. Despite this reported history, the Mansa administration issued him an arms licence on August 21, 2024. The circumstances surrounding the approval have prompted questions about the verification process followed by the authorities before granting permission to possess a firearm.
Pargat Singh has sought accountability from the AAP government, asking on what grounds the arms licence was granted despite the reported police cases and alleged violations of orders issued by the District Magistrate. The issue raises broader questions about whether the applicant’s background, previous enforcement action and any relevant criminal proceedings were properly examined before the licence was approved.
The controversy also brings renewed attention to the regulation of pharmaceutical drugs that may be misused. According to the claim raised by Pargat Singh, the Congress government in Punjab had banned the capsule in question in December 2021. The exact scope of that prohibition, the applicable orders and the subsequent regulatory history should be examined to establish whether the medical store was operating in violation of the law and what action was taken by the authorities.
The case has also intensified calls for an independent investigation into the possible role of administrative failures, inadequate enforcement or any unlawful influence in the drug trade. However, the allegations of political or police patronage require evidence-based investigation, and the reported police cases, licence cancellations and arms-licence approval must be verified through official records before responsibility can be conclusively established.
Pargat Singh has called for a High Court-monitored investigation into the matter. Such an inquiry could examine the records of the medical store, the orders concerning the capsule, the reported police cases, the history of licence cancellations and the complete file relating to the arms licence issued on August 21, 2024. It should also establish whether officials followed the prescribed procedures and whether any person improperly influenced the decision.
The AAP government and the Mansa administration should publicly clarify the grounds on which the licence was approved and explain what safeguards were applied. The central issue is not merely who received the licence, but whether the system designed to protect public safety functioned as required. Any proven wrongdoing should lead to action under the law, irrespective of the position or influence of those involved.