Mohali (Punjab) – Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former minister Bikram Singh Majithia was arrested by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau late Wednesday night in connection with a disproportionate assets case allegedly linked to drug money.
Majithia spent the night in the Vigilance Office, and will be produced before a Mohali court today. Anticipating political tension, security has been tightened around the court premises. Roads leading to the court have been cordoned off and only authorized personnel are being allowed entry.
Case Background:
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The Vigilance Bureau has accused Majithia of amassing illegal assets worth ₹540 crore.
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Allegations include:
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₹161 crore in Indian bank accounts
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₹141 crore transactions with foreign companies
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₹236 crore unexplained income in corporate accounts
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Raids recovered 30 mobile phones, 5 laptops, iPads, desktops, and property documents from his home.
Legal Standpoint & Political Angle:
Majithia’s legal counsel Arshdeep Singh Kaler met him last night and called the arrest politically motivated. He emphasized:
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The report on which this case is based was earlier dismissed by the Supreme Court.
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The case was registered within just 6 hours of receiving that very report.
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The government is misusing the anti-drug campaign to target political rivals.
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The Narcotics Department, not Vigilance, should be handling drug-related cases.
Kaler added, “The arrest is retaliation for Majithia’s sharp criticism of CM Bhagwant Mann and his governance.” He alleged that this is an attempt to silence opposition voices.
Vigilance Bureau’s Justification:
Vigilance officials state the action is based on a 2021 NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) case. They claim sufficient financial evidence indicating large-scale benami property, unexplained assets, and foreign financial links.
