HC seeks Punjab govt's stand on Majithia FIR, orders 7-day prior notice before any action
PTC Web Desk: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Friday heard the anticipatory bail plea of Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia in connection with an FIR registered against him on July 31, alleging that he obstructed officials of the Vigilance Bureau during his arrest on June 25.
Bikram Singh Majithia is already in custody in another case related to allegations of possessing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income.
Appearing on behalf of Majithia, advocate Damanbir Singh Sobti argued that the charges in the July 31 FIR were baseless. He stated that Majithia had been accused of interfering in the work of Vigilance and police officials, but video footage from the day clearly showed otherwise. “The video evidence proves that Majithia was seated in his chair and conversing calmly. There is no instance where he was seen disrupting police action. The allegations are completely unfounded,” Sobti said.
The FIR also mentioned that Majithia twirled his moustache during the episode, which was described as an attempt to intimidate police officials. Countering this, Sobti claimed that the case had been registered with mala fide intent and that the Punjab Government was deliberately withholding his arrest in this matter. “The government’s clear motive is to wait for the High Court’s decision in the disproportionate assets case. If Majithia secures bail there, they intend to arrest him in this new case immediately afterward,” he argued.
During the hearing, the Punjab and Haryana High Court questioned the state government as to why Majithia had not been arrested in this case despite the FIR being lodged nearly two months ago. The government submitted that while the complaint was received on June 26, some time was required to conduct a preliminary investigation, which led to the delay in registering the FIR.
The state government further gave an undertaking to the court that if any action is taken against Majithia in this case, he will be given seven days’ prior notice. The matter is expected to come up for further hearing next week.
- PTC NEWS
