Punjab Vigilance Bureau Arrests Akali Leader Majithia Amid Raids

Chandigarh, Jun 25 (PTI) The Punjab Vigilance Bureau has apprehended senior Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia after conducting extensive raids across 25 locations in Punjab, including his residence in Amritsar, sources revealed.

Majithia's wife and Akali MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia stated that a case of disproportionate assets has been registered against her husband. However, the Bureau has yet to confirm specifics of the case leading to the Akali leader's arrest.

A significant police presence was noted as the Bureau conducted raids at these 25 locations, which included nine in Amritsar. Majithia is the brother-in-law of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and is already embroiled in a probe related to a 2021 drug case.

During the operation, Majithia and his wife alleged that members of the Vigilance Bureau forcibly entered their Green Avenue house in Amritsar, conducting a similar raid at their Chandigarh residence.

The raids sparked outrage among senior SAD leaders, including Sukhbir Singh Badal and his wife, former union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who criticized the AAP government for the raid on Majithia's home.

Kaur reiterated that a case of disproportionate assets has been filed against her husband, declaring, "We will continue to fight. People will stand by Majithia."

Upon hearing the news of the raids on social media, Akali leaders and supporters gathered at Majithia's residence, protesting against the Bhagwant Mann government.

A heavy police presence, including barricades, was noted at the entry to Majithia's home, preventing access to the leaders and supporters.

As officials entered their home, Kaur demanded to know the reason for the intrusion, questioning the lack of prior notice regarding the raid.

Bikram Majithia claimed that the vigilance team barged into his home, frightening his children, and argued with officials regarding their unexpected entry.

"You have forced your way through. This is not the way," Majithia expressed to the officials, assuring them of his willingness to cooperate.

He accused the Mann government of attempting to stifle opposition voices through such actions and revealed that a new FIR had been filed by the vigilance department the previous night.

"If an FIR has been lodged, we are subjected to the law. However, they could have issued a notice beforehand," he commented, alleging that the AAP government is rattled by the situation.

A Punjab police special investigation team (SIT) is investigating a drug case from 2021 involving Majithia. In March, the SIT reported discovering questionable financial transactions linked to firms associated with Majithia and his family.

The SIT has expanded its probe to scrutinize transactions abroad. Majithia was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act on December 20, 2021, during the tenure of the Congress government led by then-Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi.

The arrest followed an anti-drug Special Task Force (STF) report from 2018. The FIR was registered by the state's Crime Branch at its Mohali police station. Majithia served over five months in Patiala jail, eventually being released in August 2022 after bail was granted by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.