Bikram Singh Majithia Live Updates: Punjab Vigilance Bureau gets 4-day extension of Bikram Singh Majithia's remand
Shiromani Akali Dal chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, while in police custody earlier, released a video message accusing AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal of taking complete control over Punjab. In the video, Sukhbir Singh Badal appealed to the people of Punjab, saying, “I want to tell the people that Kejriwal has captured the entire state. He is so afraid of Akali Dal and its workers that our leaders have been locked up in their homes in towns and villages.”
He further claimed that the democratic rights of the people of Punjab are being snatched away. “I want to make the people of Punjab aware that we need to unite and free Punjab from Kejriwal’s grip,” he said. He alleged that Kejriwal’s target is to collect Rs 10,000 crore from Punjab over the next one and a half years. “But we, the Akali Dal workers, will not let that happen,” he asserted.
The SAD chief also alleged that the AAP government was taking money for appointing officials, including SSPs and other government employees. “The situation in Punjab has worsened to the extent that the state government is openly practicing authoritarianism,” he said.
He warned AAP, “The same people of Punjab who gave AAP 92 seats in the last election can also ensure the forfeiture of their deposits in the next one.”
Sukhbir Singh Badal taken to Phase 11 police station
Sukhbir Singh Badal lashed out at the Punjab Government after being detained by the police, saying, “Let’s free Punjab from Kejriwal.” He accused the AAP-led government of blatant authoritarianism and added, “Every Akali worker will fight to oust Kejriwal.”
As per sources, media and Akali leaders not allowed inside court
In Mohali, Akali Dal leaders and workers raised slogans against the Punjab Government following the detention of party president Sukhbir Singh Badal. Angered by his arrest, the leaders staged a sit-in protest on the road.
Case filed and arrest (June 25)
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau registered a case at 4.30 am under disproportionate assets linked to Rs 540 crore drug money. Raids were conducted at 26 locations connected to Majithia. He was arrested from his Amritsar residence around 11.30 am. The authorities claimed to have recovered 29 cellphones, five laptops, three iPads, two desktops, eight diaries, and several documents.
Court production and remand (June 26)
Majithia was produced in the Mohali court, but the media access was restricted and all four court gates were sealed until 2 pm. Heavy police deployment from three districts was present. Akali workers attempting to gather were detained. The Vigilance Bureau sought 12-day remand, but the court granted 7 days.
Former DGP’s statement (June 27)
Ex-DGP Siddharth Chattopadhyaya recorded his statement with the Punjab Police in Chandigarh. He referenced the 2021 NDPS case registered during his tenure and briefed the Vigilance on the case history, noting the current investigation is connected.
ED officer's testimony (June 28)
Former ED Deputy Director Niranjan Singh appeared before Vigilance and confirmed that during the 2013 drug money laundering probe, names like Jagdish Bhola had mentioned Majithia in statements. He said Vigilance can officially seek these records from the ED.
Statements by political figures (June 29)
Former MLA Boney Ajnala claimed in a statement that Majithia introduced him to alleged drug traffickers as close associates in 2013. Later that day, AAP leader and Majithia’s ex-PA Dalbir Gill also recorded a detailed statement with Vigilance.
Property tracing and non-cooperation allegations (June 30)
Vigilance teams took Majithia to multiple locations in Punjab and Himachal to identify suspected properties. Officials claimed he was uncooperative during the investigation. Witnesses Maninder Singh alias Bittu and Jagjit Singh Chahal gave statements suggesting a review of the original drug case was needed. Former CM Charanjit Singh Channi also expressed willingness to testify.
NCB joins probe (July 2)
The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) sought case records from the Punjab Vigilance. The Punjab Government opposed NCB's involvement, accusing the Centre of trying to protect Majithia. Meanwhile, simultaneous raids were conducted in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, and Chandigarh. Majithia has challenged his remand in the High Court.
Security has been tightened outside the court by Punjab Police
SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal detained
In a surprising show of support, the Congress has also spoken out in favour of Bikram Singh Majithia. Himanshu Tandon, block Congress president and close aide of former Punjab Assembly Speaker and senior Congress leader Rana KP Singh, has strongly condemned the house arrest of Youth Akali Dal leader Sandeep Singh Kalota. Tandon criticised the detention, calling it unjust and a suppression of democratic rights.
Earlier in the day, SAD workers departed for Mohali by buses under the leadership of Baba Bakala Sahib constituency in-charge Jathedar Baljit Singh Jalal Usma. However, Kurali police intercepted and stopped them along with hundreds of their supporters.
The police detained over 20 Shiromani Akali Dal leaders and workers from the Maur constituency, who were heading to Chandigarh under the directions of former minister and constituency in-charge Janmeja Singh Sekhon. They were intercepted at a checkpoint near village Bhai Desa and taken to Kot Fatta police station in Bathinda. The Bathinda police have set up multiple barricades across the district to prevent Akali workers from mobilising toward Chandigarh.
SGPC member Gurcharan Singh Garewal detained
Rajwinder Singh Dharamkot, a senior Akali leader and district observer from Dharamkot, was detained along with his associates by Ajitwal police at the Chur Chak Naka while they were on their way to meet Bikram Singh Majithia at his court appearance today. He was taken into custody and locked up at Ajitwal police station.
In a post on social media, Rajwinder Singh stated, “We were heading to greet our leader Bikram Singh Majithia when we were stopped and arrested near the Ajitwal checkpoint. But silencing voices like this won’t work. No matter what, we will reach our leader today to show our support.”
Ahead of Bikram Singh Majithia’s court appearance, the Punjab Police have turned Gurdwara Amb Sahib in Mohali into a virtual police fortress. A heavy police presence has been deployed outside the gurdwara. Strict arrangements are in place to prevent Akali workers and leaders from gathering at the site.
As Akali leaders geared up to protest what they termed as the Punjab government’s high-handedness regarding Bikram Singh Majithia’s court appearance in Mohali, the police launched a crackdown. In Dinanagar, Shiromani Akali Dal’s constituency in-charge Kamaljit Chawla was placed under house arrest at 4 am. Other leaders, including sarpanch Dalbir Singh Bhatoa, Bhupinder Singh (circle president Sahuwal), Sarbjit Singh Lalia (circle president Purana Shala), and Youth Akali leader Ranjit Singh Rana were stopped at the Dahowal police checkpoint and detained
As they were on their way from Faridkot to Chandigarh for Bikram Majithia’s court appearance, around 8 to 10 Youth Akali Dal leaders were detained by the Faridkot police. The police stopped them near village Chandbaja on National Highway 54 and took them into custody.
In connection with SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal’s scheduled meeting in Mohali and Bikram Singh Majithia’s court appearance today, several Akali leaders were placed under house arrest by the police administration in Amritsar. As they were preparing to leave from their homes, the police detained Akali councillor Inderjit Singh Pandori, former councillor Surinder Singh Sultanwind, Gurdial Singh Bhullar, and their associates from Amritsar.
Ahead of Bikram Singh Majithia's scheduled court appearance, the police have begun detaining Akali leaders. Today, a large group was set to leave for Mohali under the leadership of district president Lakhwinder Singh Lakhhi. However, before the march could begin, the police placed Lakhwinder Singh Lakhhi under house arrest at his residence.
PTC Web Desk: Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia would be produced in the Mohali court on Tuesday as his vigilance remand ends today. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau is investigating Majithia in a disproportionate assets case, with raids and interrogations continuing across various locations, including Himachal Pradesh.
According to officials, the Vigilance Bureau took Majithia to Majitha yesterday for further investigation and evidence collection related to the case. The investigation team has been conducting multiple raids to gather documents and establish a link between assets and alleged illegal income.
In response, Majithia has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court, challenging the legality of the remand granted by the Mohali court on June 26. He termed the FIR politically motivated and accused the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab Government of using the state machinery to harass opposition leaders who voice criticism.
Majithia stated in court documents that the government's intent is not justice, but vengeance against vocal critics. The matter has now reached a critical juncture as the court will hear further arguments related to his remand and ongoing investigation.
The Vigilance Bureau is expected to seek further custody or provide an update on its findings before the court during the next hearing.
FOLLOW LIVE UPDATES
- PTC NEWS
