New Delhi: Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia was arrested on Wednesday by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau in connection with a disproportionate assets case linked to an ongoing drug money laundering investigation. The case involves alleged laundering of over Rs 540 crore through shell companies, offshore accounts, and undisclosed financial transactions.
The arrest came after early morning raids at Majithia’s residence in Amritsar. The Vigilance Bureau said that simultaneous searches were conducted at 25 locations across the state, including nine in Amritsar.
Case against Majithia
According to a Vigilance Bureau spokesperson, the action is based on findings submitted by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) constituted by the Punjab and Haryana high court. Preliminary investigations revealed Rs 161 crore in unaccounted cash deposits in companies linked to Majithia, Rs 141 crore routed through foreign entities, and Rs 236 crore in excess deposits in financial statements without valid disclosure.
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Majithia, a former Punjab cabinet minister and brother-in-law of SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, is also under investigation in a 2021 drugs case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The case stems from the 2013 Bhola drugs racket, in which he was accused of facilitating trafficking operations.
Early morning raid at Majithia’s residence
Following his arrest, Majithia released a video alleging that Vigilance officials entered his home without notice and intimidated his family. His wife, SAD MLA Ganieve Kaur, and sister, Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, accused the AAP-led Punjab government of political vendetta. SAD leaders likened the action to the 1975 Emergency.
Former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal, whose party governs Punjab, defended the arrest, stating that action was being taken against drug traffickers “regardless of political stature”.
