VB acted only on evidence: AAP leader

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has attacked the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders after the Mohali District Court rejected the bail plea of former minister Bikram Singh Majithia.

Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh, AAP MLA Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal and senior party leader Baltej Pannu said the court’s decision had proved that the Vigilance Bureau (VB) had acted on the basis of concrete evidence, not political vendetta.

Dhaliwal said, “From the very first day, Akali Dal leaders and some Congressmen tried to mislead the people by claiming that Majithia’s arrest was an act of victimisation. Yesterday’s court decision has exposed their lies and established that the Mann government had strong evidence against Majithia.”

He further added that the Akali Dal must accept responsibility for the rampant drug trade during its rule from 2007 to 2017. “It was during their tenure that Punjab witnessed the so-called sixth river flowing in the form of drugs. Everyone had seen Majithia’s photos with Satta and Pindi. He was often seen with them. Even today, Akali leaders shamelessly call these charges false. But now the court has made it clear that the evidence is strong and the case is solid,” Dhaliwal said.

Speaking about Majithia’s aide Satta, Pannu revealed that the Interpol had already issued a blue corner notice against him and that the Government of India, through its ties with Canada, is pursuing his extradition. “Once Satta is brought back to Punjab, a massive political storm will erupt. His revelations will expose the deep links of politicians with the drug mafia. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has said repeatedly that many big fish are yet to be caught,” he said.

Punjab