Former Punjab minister and senior Shikali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia was arrested by the Vigilance Bureau on Wednesday and raided his house in Amritsar. A special investigation team (SIT) is investigating the 2021 drug case against Majithia. The Punjab Police and Vigilance Bureau raided 25 locations across the state, including 9 places in Amritsar. There is also the residence of Majithia in them. Majithia is the brother -in -law of SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal.
According to the Vigilance Bureau, the investigation of the FIR lodged against Majithia has revealed more than Rs 540 crore drug money laundering. Initial investigations have found that the cash of Rs 161 crore was deposited in bank accounts of companies connected with Majithia, Rs 141 crore was sent through suspected foreign institutions, Rs 236 crore was shown in financial documents of companies without any clarification, Majithia has earned several movable-movable assets without a valid income source.
Officer forcibly entered the house: Majithia’s charge
Majithia and his wife alleged that the Vigilance team forcibly entered his residence in Green Avenue in Amritsar. Similar raids were also conducted at his residence in Chandigarh. He asked the officials, “How to enter my house without knowing? This is not the way. I am not running anywhere. I am ready to cooperate completely.”
Majithia claimed that his children were “intimidated” and the latest FIR was recorded on Tuesday night. He said, “If the FIR was to be done then he would do notice. All this shows that the AAP government is nervous.”
He warned CM Bhagwant Mann, saying, “No matter how much FIR, I am not afraid nor my voice will be suppressed.”
Akali Dal attacked the government
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, his wife Harsimrat Kaur Badal and several senior party leaders launched a scathing attack on the AAP government over the raid on Majithia’s house. Harsimrat Kaur said, “My husband has been booked disproporational assets (DA) case, but we will not back down. The public is standing with Majithia.”
SAD leader Daljit Singh Cheema said, “This government is doing a drama to divert public attention. It reminds of the emergency that was planted 50 years ago. Kejriwal is following the path of Indira Gandhi. We will continue to reveal the reality of the government.”
Majithia’s arrest political drama: Ravneet Singh Bittu
Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu, while attacking Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, said that the AAP government has made a political spectacle against Bikram Singh Majithia. He alleged that repeated arrests being made due to lack of evidence are weakening the legal case.
Bittu said that the Aam Aadmi Party government failed to present any concrete evidence in the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Supreme Court, due to which Majithia got bail. He also described the latest arrest as a political stunt and claimed that it would be the same fate.
The Union Minister said that Bhagwant Mann is using this issue for political benefit, while no concrete initiative is being taken towards serious investigation. He said, “Many SITs have been formed since the time of the Congress government, but no one has concluded. The value is just taking up the matter for showing. Many of his decisions taken into alcohol shows that they do not want to take this case to be a logical consequences.”