Chandigarh, Punjab: The political atmosphere in Punjab is heating up following the arrest of senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former cabinet minister Bikram Singh Majithia in a high-profile disproportionate assets (DA) case. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau has begun verifying the locations and assets associated with the case, taking Majithia to multiple undisclosed sites across Punjab and Himachal Pradesh.
🔍 Key Developments So Far:
The Vigilance Bureau has so far recorded the statements of four key witnesses, considered instrumental in building the case:
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Siddharth Chattopadhyaya (Former DGP, Punjab):
He supervised the filing of the NDPS case against Majithia in 2021 under the Congress-led government. He confirms that both then and now, evidence existed that justified legal action. -
Niranjan Singh (Former Deputy Director, ED):
Singh led the enforcement inquiry into the ₹6,000 crore drug smuggling scandal. According to him, during questioning in 2013, key accused Jagdish Bhola named Majithia. Singh claims Majithia never cooperated with the ED’s probe. -
Boney Ajnala (Former Close Aide):
Once considered close to Majithia, Boney turned whistleblower and alleges that Majithia introduced key drug suspects as “close friends” at his residence. He claims to have warned SAD leadership as early as 2013. -
Talbir Singh Gill (Former PA):
Gill, Majithia’s former personal assistant, has also submitted his statement to the Vigilance Bureau. His insights are reportedly crucial as he had access to sensitive office operations and transactions.
💰 Alleged Undisclosed Assets Worth ₹540 Crore:
According to the Vigilance Bureau:
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₹161 crore is found in unexplained cash deposits in company accounts linked to Majithia.
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₹141 crore worth of foreign transactions were routed via suspicious overseas entities.
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₹236 crore has been reflected in financial disclosures without proper documentation.
During raids on 26 properties, investigators seized:
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29 mobile phones
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5 laptops
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3 iPads
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2 desktops
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8 diaries and sensitive documents
🛑 Arrest, Legal Proceedings & Political Allegations:
Majithia was arrested from his Amritsar residence on 25 June, a day after the Vigilance filed a report. His legal team alleges that the action is politically motivated due to his vocal criticism of the ruling AAP government.
He was presented before a Mohali court, where the Vigilance Bureau requested 12-day remand. The court granted 7-day remand, and the next hearing is scheduled for 2 July 2025.
🧾 Advocate’s Response:
Majithia’s lawyer, Arshdeep Singh Kaler, has accused the state government of selective targeting. He asserts that the companies under investigation are legally registered and government-recognized entities. He also alleged a mismatch between arguments made in the Supreme Court and in district courts by government counsel.
