Confirming the suspension, the Mansa Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) stated that departmental action was taken because the fatal attack occurred squarely within the jurisdiction of Kaur’s police station. The suspension comes amid intense pressure from Jhota’s family, who leveled grave accusations against the SHO, alleging that illicit narcotics networks operated openly in the locality under her watch and protection.
Simultaneously, senior law enforcement officials moved to defuse mounting public anger after the action committee spearheading protests for Jhota took strong exception to DIG Harjeet Singh’s initial assessment suggesting the murder stemmed from an old personal dispute. Demonstrators contended that the police were attempting to downplay the involvement of organized narcotics syndicates targeted by Jhota’s activism.
Addressing the agitating committee members publicly, DIG Singh retracted the claim and sought the community’s trust:
“I apologise if my statement has hurt anyone. I had no intention to hurt you. We have come to seek your support. We are with you,” he stated.