SAD Leader Bikram Singh Majithia Arrested by Vigilance Bureau in Disproportionate Assets Case

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) on Wednesday accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government of misusing state agencies to target senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia by registering a disproportionate assets case against him without conducting any preliminary or regular inquiry.

Addressing a press conference in Amritsar, senior SAD leaders Balwinder Singh Bhundar, Maheshinder Singh Grewal, and Daljit Singh Cheema described the case as politically motivated.

They alleged the action aimed to silence Majithia and divert attention from the government’s failure to control the drug menace through its campaign, Yudh Nashean Virudh.

SAD Leaders Denounce Allegations as Baseless

Maheshinder Singh Grewal claimed the government’s statements regarding Majithia’s arrest in connection with a ₹540 crore drug case were false.

“The government is misleading the people by alleging Majithia was arrested in a ₹540 crore drug case. This is a bundle of lies. The government has not presented a single complaint to justify the figure mentioned,” Grewal stated.

Drawing a comparison with the Delhi liquor policy case, Grewal pointed out that in that instance, liquor contractors made specific complaints against AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia.

In contrast, no evidence has been presented against Majithia in the NDPS case, in which he is already out on bail. “The High Court found no recovery, no drug money, and no related transactions,” he added.

Grewal also dismissed the disproportionate assets allegations, stating, “The properties listed in the complaint existed in the Majithia family even before Mr Majithia was born. The family has a long history of land ownership.”

He further clarified that Majithia resigned as a director of Saraya Industries in 2007 and has had no involvement in the company’s operations since.

Previous Allegations Already Examined in Court

Daljit Singh Cheema pointed out that the allegations being raised now were already presented before the Supreme Court during a plea seeking the cancellation of Majithia’s bail in the 2021 NDPS case. The apex court, he said, had not taken cognizance of those claims.

Cheema also criticized the heavy police deployment during Majithia’s court appearance in Mohali, calling it a “curfew-like situation” that caused difficulties for other litigants.

Bhundar Compares Government Actions to Emergency-Era Tactics

Veteran SAD leader Balwinder Singh Bhundar likened the Punjab government’s actions to those during the Emergency period, calling it “political revenge.”

He alleged the AAP government has formed several Special Investigation Teams (SITs) and suspended officers over the last three years solely to pursue Majithia.

Bhundar also thanked opposition parties for their support and solidarity in what he described as a politically motivated campaign against Majithia.

AAP MLA Condemns Raid at Majithia’s Residence

In a surprising development, AAP MLA Kunwar Vijay Pratap, who represents the Amritsar North constituency, condemned the early morning raid on Majithia’s residence.

In a post on X, he stated, “Family dignity is universal whether rich or poor, friend or foe. Raiding someone’s home at dawn is ethically wrong. I have ideological differences with Majithia Sahib, but when he was jailed during the Congress government, Mann’s government didn’t seek remand or question him.

In fact, it supported his bail. Now, notices are being issued, raids are happening, and the dignity of women in the house is being violated. This is no longer about politics; it’s about principles, ethics, and decency.”

Majithia Sent to Seven-Day Vigilance Remand

Meanwhile, a Mohali court on Thursday sent Majithia to seven-day vigilance remand following his arrest by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau. Tight security was deployed as Majithia was produced in court, while police detained several SAD supporters protesting near the court complex.

Ferry Sofat, counsel for the Vigilance Bureau, confirmed that Majithia has been remanded until July 2. The Bureau had sought a 12-day remand.

Sofat also alleged that Majithia “threatened” the vigilance team during the raid at his residence.

Fresh Allegations of Drug Money Laundering

The Vigilance Bureau claims preliminary investigations revealed that over ₹540 crore of drug money was laundered through various channels allegedly facilitated by Majithia.

He has now been booked in a disproportionate assets case linked to this alleged laundering.

A vigilance spokesperson revealed that the SIT and the Bureau’s investigation uncovered massive irregularities, including ₹161 crore in unaccounted cash deposited into bank accounts of companies controlled by Majithia, ₹141 crore channelled through suspected foreign entities, and ₹236 crore deposited in company accounts without proper disclosure.

Authorities also alleged that Majithia acquired significant assets without legitimate sources of income.

Shiromani Akali Dal spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler, however, dismissed the FIR as “bogus” and claimed Majithia was being targeted for raising public issues and criticizing the AAP government.

Majithia, the brother-in-law of SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, is already under investigation in a 2021 drugs case. The new FIR stems from findings by the SIT in the same case.