SAD's Bikram Majithia Arrested In Punjab Vigilance Raid, Accused Of Laundering Rs 540 Crore Drug Money

Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia was arrested by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Wednesday following extensive raids across the state in connection with a disproportionate assets case. The arrest comes amid allegations of massive money laundering linked to drug proceeds, amounting to over ₹540 crore.

According to news agency ANI, the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing a 2021 drugs case has unearthed a complex financial trail, revealing unaccounted cash deposits, suspicious foreign transactions, and unexplained asset acquisitions linked to Majithia. The Vigilance Bureau stated that ₹161 crore in unaccounted cash was deposited into companies allegedly controlled by the former minister, while ₹141 crore was routed through questionable foreign channels. An excess of ₹236 crore was also reportedly deposited without adequate disclosure in company financial statements, as per the Vigilance Bureau.

Raids Across 25 Locations in Punjab

As per news agency PTI, simultaneous searches were conducted at 25 locations across Punjab, including nine in Amritsar. Among the raided premises was Majithia’s residence in Green Avenue, Amritsar. The former minister is also the brother-in-law of SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal.

Majithia’s wife, Ganieve Kaur Majithia, who is also an Akali MLA, said a disproportionate assets case had been registered against him. She claimed officials entered their Amritsar home without prior notice and also carried out a similar raid at their Chandigarh residence.

According to PTI, she told reporters, “A disproportionate assets case has been registered against my husband. We will continue to fight. People will stand by Majithia.”

In a video circulated on social media, Majithia is seen confronting officials from the Vigilance Bureau. “You have forced your way through. This is not the way,” he told them. He added, “I am not going anywhere. I am ready to cooperate.” The former minister also accused the officials of terrifying his children during the raid.

Ganieve Kaur, questioning the officials at the scene, demanded to know, “What is happening? I want to know what is going on. How did you barge into my house without my knowledge?”

SAD Leaders Condemn Bikram Majithia's Arrest, Blame AAP Govt

The arrest sparked strong reactions from Akali leaders, who accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led Punjab government of political vendetta. SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal and former Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal visited Majithia’s residence and condemned the state’s action.

As news of the raid spread, a crowd of Akali supporters gathered near the house, raising slogans against the Bhagwant Mann government. Police forces blocked access to the road leading to the residence, PTI reported.

Majithia, addressing the press, accused the AAP government of using such tactics to stifle opposition voices. “They forcefully entered the house. If an FIR has been lodged, we are submitted to the law. If they wanted to register an FIR of DA (disproportionate assets) case, they could have given a notice and registered an FIR. It is very clear that they (AAP) are rattled,” he said, as quoted by PTI.

He added, “Bhagwant Mann ji, understand this, no matter how many FIRs you register, neither I will be afraid nor your government can suppress my voice. I have always talked about the issues of Punjab and will continue to do so.”

Ongoing Investigations Linked to 2021 Drug Case

Majithia has been under scrutiny since 2021 when he was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, based on a 2018 report by the state’s anti-drug Special Task Force. The FIR was lodged during the tenure of the Congress-led government under then-Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi.

The SIT investigating the case has previously stated that it discovered suspicious financial transactions involving firms tied to Majithia and his family, including possible foreign links.

Majithia was earlier imprisoned for over five months in Patiala jail before securing bail from the Punjab and Haryana High Court in August 2022.

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