Pathanmajra had been declared a proclaimed offender by the court and faces serious charges, including sexual assault, cheating and criminal intimidation. He had been absconding since September 2 last year, following which a lookout circular was issued against him. 

It is learnt that the arrest was made following a carefully planned and covert operation led by the Patiala Police. The accused was reportedly apprehended from a location near Patiala.

It is being suspected that Pathanmajra had briefly left the country and re-entered India via Nepal to avoid detection. There are also indications that he may have initiated contact to facilitate his surrender.

Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Varun Sharma stated that the breakthrough came after a 48-hour intensive operation led by SP Vaibhav Chaudhary. Police teams had been tracking the MLA across seven states, conducting multiple raids, but he managed to evade capture until now.

Second MLA arrested in 48 hours

This marks the second arrest of a sitting or former legislator in Punjab within the last two days. Earlier, former minister Laljit Singh Bhullar was taken into custody in connection with an abetment to suicide case.

The motion was moved by AAP MLA  Saravjit Kaur Manuke and supported by Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema. Saravjit Kaur Manuke alleged that Khaira had used derogatory language against women in his post and demanded that the Congress leader issue a public apology.

I’ve learnt that @AamAadmiParty has created ruckus in the Vidhan Sabha today over my below post where a Youtuber questioned the morality of @AAPPunjab volunteer women dancing on the announcement of Rs 1000 recently !

He said probably these women have forgotten the brutality… pic.twitter.com/bOkTGZaka1

— Sukhpal Singh Khaira (@SukhpalKhaira) March 10, 2026

The issue triggered heated exchanges inside the House. Before the motion was formally taken up, AAP legislators, including Inderjit Kaur, Jeevan Jyot Kaur and minister Aman Arora, gathered near the Speaker’s Chair and raised slogans against Khaira.

Following the debate on the motion, Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan conducted a voice vote. He gave Congress MLAs three opportunities to register their response during the voting process. However, the Congress members remained silent. The Speaker then clarified that their silence would be treated as opposition to the motion, after which the censure motion was declared passed.

Meanwhile, the controversy surrounding Khaira’s remarks has also reached the Punjab State Women Commission. The commission has taken suo motu cognisance of the issue and issued a notice to Sukhpal Singh Khaira, directing him to appear before it and present his explanation regarding the alleged remarks.

Speaking at an event in Coimbatore, she claimed that Rahul Gandhi’s inaction was weakening the Congress in Punjab. She alleged that members of his close circle were engaged in selling party tickets, while he remained unaware of the situation on the ground.

“Rahul Gandhi speaks well and raises meaningful issues, but there is a vast difference between what he says and what he does,” Navjot Kaur Sidhu said. She stated that for the past eight months, she had been seeking time to meet him to highlight what she described as the deteriorating condition of the party in Punjab.

#WATCH | Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu: On Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, Former Congress leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu says, "Rahul Gandhi talks good. He talks sense. But what he does and what he says is very different. For the past eight months, I have been asking for a time… pic.twitter.com/9eY8nKezrM

— ANI (@ANI) February 16, 2026

According to her, she wanted to inform Rahul Gandhi that the leadership appointed in the state was not doing justice to Punjab and that the party structure was being damaged. She further alleged that electoral tickets had already been distributed in an improper manner.

In her remarks, she questioned Rahul Gandhi’s leadership, suggesting that a leader must remain connected with grassroots realities. She said that anyone occupying a key position must understand what is happening at the ground level rather than relying solely on advisers.

She also expressed disappointment over what she described as unfulfilled political assurances. She claimed that promises made to her and her supporters were not honoured and accused certain party leaders of engaging in corrupt practices while publicly speaking against corruption.

Drawing a comparison, Navjot Kaur Sidhu referred to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stating that leaders must maintain personal integrity if they wish to raise questions about corruption in others.

Her remarks come amid continuing tensions within the Punjab Congress, where factionalism and leadership disputes have surfaced repeatedly over the past few years.

The Congress party has not yet issued an official response to her statements.

The event, held at village Killi Chahal near Moga, was part of the government’s ‘War Against Drugs’ campaign. It was attended by AAP’s national convenor Arvind Kejriwal along with other senior party functionaries. According to sources in the state government, the gathering was an official government programme under the anti-narcotics drive.

However, the participation of the top bureaucrat and the state police chief in the rally has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties. The BJP questioned whether the involvement of senior civil and police officials in an event attended by ruling party leaders amounts to a violation of service conduct norms, including provisions under the All India Services (Conduct) Rules, which bar civil servants from engaging in political activity.

Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar raised concerns over whether senior officials are permitted to address what he described as a political rally. He alleged that the Punjab Government had blurred the line between official governance initiatives and party programmes.

The Shiromani Akali Dal and other opposition groups echoed similar objections. The SAD has sought intervention from the Governor of Punjab and the Election Commission of India, demanding an inquiry into the alleged use of public funds and administrative machinery for what it claims was effectively a political mobilisation exercise. The party has also questioned whether government resources were deployed for transporting attendees and managing arrangements at the venue.

So far, neither the Chief Secretary nor the DGP has issued a public clarification regarding their participation. The Punjab Government has also not released an official response to the allegations levelled by the opposition.

The expulsion comes just days after Navjot Kaur Sidhu had announced her resignation from the Congress, accusing the party leadership of being disconnected from ground realities in Punjab. In a post after her expulsion, she referred to Rahul Gandhi as “pappu”, triggering strong reactions within the party.

Following her expulsion, Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu issued a scathing statement, launching a direct attack on Rahul Gandhi and the Congress leadership. She alleged that Rahul Gandhi believes he is the only honest leader in the party, while others are ignored. She further claimed that the Congress leadership has little understanding of grassroots issues and lacks the ability to take timely decisions.

According to her, even important decisions take nearly six months to materialise, severely affecting the party’s performance and credibility. She also accused several leaders of being more focused on personal gains rather than strengthening the organisation or addressing public concerns.

Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu’s strained relationship with the Congress leadership dates back to December 2025, when she was suspended for making a controversial remark suggesting that a “suitcase of Rs 500 crore” was required to become the Chief Minister of Punjab. That statement had sparked a major political row and further widened the rift between her and the party’s high command.

Navjot Sidhu, who has largely remained away from frontline politics since his defeat in the 2022 Vidhan Sabha elections, shared a video on his Instagram account that many interpret as a warning to political rivals. In the video, Sidhu recites a couplet suggesting that those who thrive on conflict may be reduced to ashes if circumstances change, adding that the moment now is about stature, bold moves and bringing the game to an end.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Navjot Singh Sidhu (@navjotsinghsidhu)

The former Punjab Congress president posted the video on Thursday. Though he has not formally announced any political plans, the timing of the message has sparked discussions about a potential comeback as parties begin early positioning for the next Assembly polls.

After losing the Amritsar East seat in 2022, Sidhu stepped back from active political engagement and shifted focus to cricket commentary and television appearances. Despite keeping a low political profile, he has periodically made public appearances in Punjab, meeting party workers in cities such as Amritsar and Patiala, and holding discussions with senior Congress leaders, including Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.

Sidhu’s political journey in Punjab has been marked by frequent internal party confrontations. During the 2017–22 Congress government led by Captain Amarinder Singh, he served as a Cabinet minister but openly criticised the administration, leading to a reshuffle of his portfolio. His differences with the leadership eventually escalated into a full-blown revolt against Capt Amarinder Singh.

Ahead of the 2022 elections, the Congress replaced Capt Amarinder Singh with Charanjit Singh Channi as CM. While the move initially raised hopes of unity within the party, fresh tensions soon emerged as Sidhu publicly questioned several decisions taken by the Channi government, including key appointments and policy announcements.

Sidhu was reportedly unhappy after not being projected as the Congress’ chief ministerial face for the 2022 elections, despite holding the post of state party president at the time. Following his electoral defeat, he chose to distance himself from active politics but remained within the Congress fold.

Adding another dimension to the speculation, Sidhu’s wife, Dr Navjot Kaur Sidhu, has earlier stated that her husband would consider returning to active politics only if he is declared the party’s chief ministerial candidate. She has also made her own political moves, staking claim to the Amritsar East seat, though she was later suspended from the Congress over her public statements and is currently believed to be exploring closer ties with the BJP.

As Punjab’s political temperature slowly begins to rise ahead of 2027, Sidhu’s cryptic message has once again brought him back into the spotlight, leaving party observers watching closely for his next move.

“I am talking to the High Command, but I have one clear condition:  I will not stand with thieves,” she said. According to her, a handful of leaders are “derailing the Congress” and must be removed if the party wants to regain power in Punjab. “If those four or five persons are sidelined, only then will I consider the next step,” she added.

Navjor Kaur Sidhu alleged that her recent comments were misrepresented after her meeting with the Governor. She claimed that influential people owning nearly 10,000 acres in the Shivalik hills, who she believes are attempting to get this land regularised with the help of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, were unsettled by her statements. She asserted that she would continue to oppose any such move.

Navjot Kaur said she had initially intended to raise these land-related concerns with Rahul Gandhi, but before that meeting could take place, she received an appointment from the Governor. She maintained that her remarks about “individuals with property worth crores in the Shivalik belt” created discomfort among many.

“I wanted Rahul Gandhi to take up the issue because it concerns Punjab’s future. I hoped he would emerge as the hero. But he was misguided by those around him, causing delays,” she alleged.

On the legal notice sent to her by MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa, she brushed it aside, accusing him of failing in his own political responsibilities. She further alleged that Randhawa sold party tickets worth crores in Rajasthan and claimed she has already submitted evidence to the High Command.

Reiterating that she has merely spoken the truth, Navjot Kaur Sidhu said, “If the party values honest voices from the grassroots, they will understand my stand.”

She also claimed that she enjoys strong backing within the organisation, stating that around 70% of Congress leaders support her, although she refrained from naming them.

Her suspension came shortly after she publicly levelled allegations against Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring, and days after her remark about needing “Rs 500 crore to become Chief Minister” sparked political controversy. She defended herself, asserting that the media twisted her statement. “I never said anyone asked me for money. The question was why I was not in the race for CM, and I replied that you need Rs 500 crore to become one,” she clarified.

She added that investigative agencies like the Income Tax Department or Enforcement Directorate were welcome to probe her or her husband Navjot Singh Sidhu. “We have nothing to hide,” she said.

Maintaining that she remains in touch with the party’s central leadership despite her suspension, Navjot Kaur Sidhu reiterated her uncompromising stance: “We will not support those destroying the Congress.”

Sukhbir Singh Badal used the occasion to launch a strong attack on the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, alleging political misuse of police force during the Tarn Taran bypoll. He claimed that the contest was not between the AAP and the SAD but between Akali workers and the state police administration.

Sukhbir Singh Badal alleged that several district-level officials acted under direct political pressure from AAP leadership. He claimed that the SSP and local police officials operated as if they were “district heads” of AAP, executing instructions from senior leaders in Delhi.

He announced that the SAD would legally fight all FIRs filed against its workers during the election period. He said a dedicated committee had already been constituted to handle bail, litigation and countersuits against officials who allegedly misused their authority.

The SAD president warned that officials who “violated the law” would be held accountable if the Akali Dal came to power. “Start counting your days,” he said, asserting that no official will be spared for wrongdoing, regardless of rank," he added.

Sukhbir Singh Badal urged party sarpanches and workers not to fear pressure tactics. Promising enhanced development funds under an Akali Dal government, he said the party aimed to revive Punjab after “10 years of administrative decline.”

He accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal of running what he called a “racket of extortion,” alleging that industrialists were being coerced for money. Sukhbir Singh Badal warned that any questionable land, power or departmental deals made under the current government would be cancelled when the SAD returns to power.

The Taran Tarn byelection, held on November 11, was won by AAP candidate Harmit Singh Sandhu, who secured 42,649 votes with a margin of 12,091. This marks Sandhu’s fourth victory from the constituency. SAD’s Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa finished second with 30,558 votes.

A total of 222 polling booths have been established across the constituency, where 1,92,838 voters will exercise their franchise. Voting will take place from 7 am to 6 pm, and the counting of votes is scheduled for November 14.

To ensure security, the police have deployed around 3,000 personnel, including central security forces, and have implemented tight arrangements at all polling stations. CCTV cameras and webcasting facilities will monitor all booths, and micro observers have been appointed at sensitive locations to oversee the process.

SSP Surinder Lamba stated that 50 checkpoints had been set up across the district to prevent any untoward incidents, and police patrols were active to maintain law and order.

The poster sparked outrage across Sikh circles and drew sharp criticism from political opponents, particularly the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD). Party president Sukhbir Singh Badal condemned the act, calling it “deeply disrespectful” and demanded that the Congress party publicly apologise to the Sikh Panth.

“Placing the images of political leaders above those of Sri Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji and Bhai Jeevan Singh Ji is an unforgivable act. The Congress must apologise to the Sikh community,” Sukhbir Singh Badal stated in a social media post.

He also recalled earlier controversies involving the Congress, adding that the party’s Punjab president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring had earlier hurt the sentiments of the Dalit community. “Now they have disrespected the Ninth Guru and Bhai Jeevan Singh Ji, causing deep pain to Sikh community,” he added.

Senior SAD leader Dr Daljit Singh Cheema announced that the party will lodge formal complaints with the Election Commission and the Akal Takht Sahib, alleging that the Congress had insulted Sikh religious figures. Cheema accused the Congress of trying to divert attention from earlier controversies by releasing the now-controversial poster.

The Returning Officer for the Rajya Sabha election from Punjab, Ram Lok Khathana, issued the official certificate declaring Rajinder Gupta as a duly elected Member of Parliament to the Upper House.

With Gupta’s election, the Aam Aadmi Party’s representation in the Rajya Sabha from Punjab has risen to seven members. The seat had fallen vacant following the resignation of Sanjeev Arora on July 1.

The byelection for the vacant Rajya Sabha seat was earlier scheduled for October 24, but with no contesting candidate left in the fray, the Election Commission announced Gupta’s unopposed election.

Initially, five candidates, including Navneet Chaturvedi, had filed their nomination papers for the seat. However, the papers of three candidates were rejected during scrutiny, and Madhu Gupta later withdrew her candidature, leaving Rajinder Gupta as the sole candidate in the race.

The bypoll was necessitated following the death of AAP MLA Kashmir Singh Sohal nearly three months ago, which left the seat vacant. Even before the election schedule was declared, all major political parties had finalised and announced their candidates.

Four major parties in the fray

The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has once again placed its bet on a turncoat leader. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann announced Harmeet Sandhu as AAP’s candidate for the Tarn Taran bypoll. Sandhu recently joined the AAP.

The strategy of inducting leaders from other parties has worked well for AAP in earlier bypolls, where the party managed to win three out of the last few byelections held in Punjab. 

The Congress has fielded Karanbir Singh Burj as its candidate. A seasoned leader, Burj has earlier served as the vice-president of the Punjab Congress Kisan Cell and also held the same position at the district level.

Deeply rooted in Tarn Taran, Burj is known for consistently raising local and farmers’ issues. He is regarded as a close aide of senior Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa.

Harjit Singh Sandhu, a former Youth Akali Dal leader, is BJP pick for the seat. Sandhu has been serving as the BJP district president of Tarn Taran since December 2022 and enjoys a strong hold in local politics and organisational affairs.

He began his political career in 2007 with the Shiromani Akali Dal’s youth wing but switched to the BJP ahead of the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections. 

The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) has announced 'Principal' Sukhwinder Kaur Randhawa as its candidate. She is a prominent leader of the Azad group, a powerful local political front in Tarn Taran. Under her leadership, the group performed well in local body elections, winning the support of 43 sarpanches, 8 municipal councillors, and several former chairpersons.

A former school principal, she is respected for her disciplined leadership, social work, and strong community outreach, which have earned her significant goodwill among voters.

As the Tarn Taran bypoll draws closer, the political atmosphere in Punjab is heating up. With four major contenders in the race , AAP, Congress, BJP, and SAD, the election is set to be a high-stakes, multi-cornered contest that will test the political pulse of the state ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.

Speaking to PTC News in an exclusive interaction, he said, “I am happy with my artistic career, and everything is going well. Let me continue doing my work (helping flood victims). What do I have to do with politics?”

The speculation about his political debut had intensified as Aulakh became a central figure in Punjab’s flood relief initiatives. On his birthday, he visited Gurdwara Sri Ber Sahib in Sultanpur Lodhi to offer prayers and later handed over 10 tractors to saints of Sarhali as part of his ongoing commitment to flood-hit families.

Aulakh has pledged to donate 100 tractors to affected communities. So far, he has handed over 21 tractors today, in addition to 20 tractors provided earlier. Each tractor bore the label “Team Mankirat Aulakh”, which also fueled public perception about his possible political aspirations.

By firmly dismissing these rumours, Aulakh emphasised that his focus remains on his career and humanitarian service, not politics.

He added that additional aid could be provided, if necessary. The package was initially announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi following his visit to flood-affected areas in Punjab. However, the Punjab Government has expressed concerns that the relief amount is insufficient to fully assist farmers.

Highlighting the cause of the recent floods, Union minister BL Verma pointed to extensive riverbank mining along the Sutlej in Ludhiana, allegedly carried out by the brother of Punjab’s Water Resources Minister. He noted that despite protests by local residents, the mining continued, causing erosion of around 340 acres of land.

Notably, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had visited Punjab on September 9 to conduct an aerial survey of flood-affected regions. At a meeting with 19 farmers and teams from the NDRF and the SDRF in Gurdaspur, he announced the Rs 1,600 crore relief package for Punjab. Additionally, a compensation of Rs 2 lakh per deceased and Rs 50,000 per injured person was declared.

Several Punjab leaders and ministers have urged the Centre to increase the relief package. Punjab minister Aman Arora requested a Rs 20,000 crore package, citing extensive crop and soil damage. Cabinet Minister Barinder Goyal proposed a resolution in the Assembly demanding Rs 20,000 crore for flood relief.

Minister Hardeep Singh Mundia described the Rs 1,600 crore assistance as insufficient, estimating Punjab’s total flood loss at Rs 60,000 crore.

SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal also called for a Rs 20,000 crore package and full waiver of farmers’ and agricultural labourers’ loans.

The BJP, however, stated that the decision to bypass the Punjab Government was based on public demand to ensure faster relief to farmers.

All the four J&K seats have been vacant since February 2021. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjeev Arora had resigned from his Rajya Sabha seat after winning the Ludhiana West Assembly byelection in Punjab. Elected as a first-time MP on April 10, 2022, Arora’s tenure in the Upper House was originally set to continue until April 9, 2028.

A Ludhiana-based businessman with a background in exports, Arora secured the Assembly bypoll victory with a margin of over 10,000 votes, defeating Congress candidate Bharat Bhushan Ashu. His win has triggered a Rajya Sabha by-election in Punjab to fill the vacant seat.

Addressing a press conference, CM Mann said while floodwaters had receded in several areas, the aftermath had left villages and towns heavily clogged with mud and garbage. He said restoring normal life required immediate large-scale cleanliness and relief measures.

The state government has identified 2,303 affected villages and wards, where dedicated teams equipped with JCB machines, tractors, trolleys, and manpower would carry out the cleaning operations. These teams would also ensure the proper disposal of animals that perished during the floods. Following debris removal, fogging and sanitation drives would be carried out in each village to prevent the spread of diseases.

The Punjab CM said each affected village had been allocated an initial grant of Rs 1 lakh from the relief fund to meet urgent requirements. The state would bear the full cost of the operation.

CM Mann has set strict deadlines for the flood-relief operations: September 24: All villages to be cleared of mud and debris; October 15: Repair work at public places to be completed and  October 22: Village ponds to be fully cleaned and restored.

He also appealed to NGOs, youth clubs, and social organisations to extend their support to this “noble cause.”

To prevent post-flood outbreaks, the government would set up medical camps across all 2,303 villages. Of these, 596 villages already covered by Aam Aadmi Clinics would see additional facilities and medicines, while the remaining 1,707 villages would have camps at schools, dharamshalas, anganwadi centres, or panchayat bhavans.

At each camp, doctors, paramedics and equipped medical units would be deployed. The state has also arranged 550 ambulances to ensure no delay in providing healthcare to affected residents.

Highlighting livestock losses, CM Mann said around 2.5 lakh animals across 713 villages were impacted. To safeguard livestock health, veterinary teams are conducting vaccination and disinfection drives. By September 30, all affected animals would be vaccinated. The government is also providing potassium permanganate to disinfect water and fodder.

Acknowledging the hardships faced by farmers, CM Mann said even though no compensation could fully address their suffering, the government remained committed to full support. He confirmed that paddy procurement would begin on September 16, with flood-hit mandis undergoing urgent repairs and cleaning to be ready by September 19.

Providing figures, CM Mann said since the establishment of the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) in 2010, Punjab had received Rs 5,012 crore, of which Rs 3,820 crore had already been spent on natural calamity relief. 

The announcement followed an emergency meeting of senior SAD leaders and district presidents tasked with implementing the relief measures. Sukhbir Singh Badal revealed that 500 trucks of maize silage and 500 trucks of compressed hay have been booked for distribution at the village level to support livestock in flooded areas. He further stated that 500 fogging machines will be deployed, operated by party volunteers, to prevent malaria and other waterborne diseases.

Looking ahead, the SAD president said the party would distribute certified wheat seeds for one lakh acres, along with 30,000 quintals of seeds to fulfill ration needs in flood-affected regions. Additionally, 125 medical camps led by doctors and staff from Guru Ramdas Hospital, Amritsar, and 25 veterinary teams have been set up to ensure human and animal welfare. Volunteers will also assist in clearing sand from farmlands.

The SAD chief demanded loan waivers for flood-affected farmers from both the central and state governments, stating that a six-month moratorium would be insufficient for farmers who need two–three years to recover. He also called for an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh per deceased person, Rs 1 lakh per lost animal, compensation for crop losses irrespective of land ownership, and support for ‘kutcha’ land cultivators.

Calling on Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce an Rs 20,000 crore flood relief package, Sukhbir Singh Badal urged the formation of a special monitoring committee to ensure proper utilisation of funds. He criticised the state AAP government, highlighting that mandatory flood control meetings were not held and local embankments were not strengthened, aggravating the suffering of the people.

He appealed to industries and citizens to step forward in aiding flood victims, emphasising that while Punjabis have helped disaster-hit regions elsewhere, assistance to Punjab during this crisis remains inadequate.

On Saturday, his mother and former Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia also visited him at the hospital. Officials confirmed that the Chief Minister had been unwell for the past two days, which led to the cancellation of his scheduled visit with AAP supremo Arvind Kejriwal to flood-affected regions. He had been resting at his official residence in Chandigarh but was rushed to the hospital when his condition deteriorated on Friday evening. Consequently, the state Cabinet meeting scheduled for the same evening had to be postponed.

Punjab ministers Harpal Cheema and Aman Arora said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann would remain in the hospital for another two to three days as doctors had advised him complete rest. "We have confirmed information that the CM’s health is now improving. He was admitted after his pulse rate dropped," they added.

Meanwhile, discussions regarding flood-related issues are underway, and compensation for the affected people will be provided soon, they added. 

This is not the first time the Chief Minister has faced health concerns. In September 2024, CM Mann was admitted to the same hospital after routine tests revealed swelling in the pulmonary artery, which was exerting pressure on his heart and destabilising his blood pressure. He was later diagnosed with leptospirosis, a bacterial infection linked to exposure to contaminated water. After three days of treatment, he recovered and was discharged.

Simultaneously, a heavy police convoy escorted Majithia to court for a scheduled hearing today. Anticipating protests from Shiromani Akali Dal leaders, the administration imposed strict security measures around the court premises. Parvinder Singh Sohana, district Akali Dal president in Mohali, along with several party leaders, was taken into preventive custody as a precautionary measure.

Majithia was arrested on June 26 by the Vigilance Bureau in a disproportionate assets case and has been in judicial custody at New Nabha Jail since July 6. During this period, the Vigilance Bureau has already conducted two rounds of raids at his residences and offices in Majitha and Amritsar. 

In the past two weeks, two separate petitions have been filed on behalf of senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader and former Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia in the Mohali court. These applications pertain to a request for a change in his prison barrack and a bail plea.

The first application seeks a change in Majithia's prison barrack. His legal counsel has argued that, as a former minister, Majithia is entitled to special treatment under the jail manual guidelines. The counsel requested that Majithia be provided with Orange Category privileges and be housed separately from other inmates.

Additionally, his legal team has urged the court to provide them with a copy of the grounds of arrest and the relevant provisions of the jail manual.

The second application is a formal request for bail. The Mohali court has issued a notice to the Punjab Government regarding this plea. The matter is scheduled for hearing on July 22.

Timeline of the case: 

June 25: Bikram Singh Majithia was arrested from his residence in Amritsar after the Vigilance Bureau registered a disproportionate assets case against him.

June 26: He was presented in the court and sent to seven-day police remand.

June 27: Former Punjab DGP Siddharth Chattopadhyaya recorded his statement with the Vigilance Bureau. Chattopadhyaya was the DGP in 2021 when an NDPS case was registered against Majithia.

June 28: Former ED Deputy Director Niranjan Singh gave a statement to the Vigilance Bureau, stating that during earlier interrogations, accused Jagdish Bhola had named Majithia.

June 29: Statements were recorded from former Akali MLA Boney Ajnala and Dalbir Gill, Majithia’s former personal assistant and now an AAP leader.

June 30: Vigilance team took Majithia to Shimla for further investigations. On the same day, Maninder Singh alias Bittu and Jagjit Singh Chahal gave their statements.

July 1: The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) sought case-related records pertaining to Majithia.

July 2: Upon completion of the initial seven-day remand, the court extended Majithia’s remand until July 6.

July 3: His lawyers moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court challenging the remand and arrest. However, due to the absence of the remand order, the hearing was postponed to July 4.

July 4: The High Court heard the matter but adjourned the case to July 8.

July 6: The Mohali court ordered Majithia to be sent to New Nabha Jail until July 19.

July 8: During the High Court hearing, the next date of hearing was set for July 28.

July 11: Majithia's legal team filed the petition requesting a change of barrack citing security and category-related privileges.

The induction of Sanjeev Arora marks the seventh Cabinet expansion during the AAP government’s tenure of over three and a half years in Punjab. Arora’s elevation to the Cabinet comes in line with a pre-election promise made by AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal, who had publicly assured voters that Arora would be made a minister if elected.

Sanjeev Arora resigned from the Rajya Sabha on July 1, just before taking the oath. His induction was slightly delayed earlier due to Governor Banwarilal Purohit’s absence from Chandigarh, as he was on a visit to Udaipur.

Arora is likely to be given charge of the Industry and NRI Affairs departments, according to sources. The NRI Affairs portfolio was earlier held by Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal, who has now been asked to step down from the Cabinet. Notably, Dhaliwal was absent from the swearing-in ceremony, and Jalandhar MLA Mohinder Bhagat confirmed that his resignation had been sought.

Official announcements regarding department allocations are expected soon.

Punjab's Council of Ministers can have up to 18 members, including the Chief Minister. With Arora’s appointment, the strength of the Cabinet has reached 17, leaving one position vacant.

Timeline of previous Cabinet reshuffles:

September 2024: The last major reshuffle saw Hardeep Singh Mundian, Barinder Kumar Goyal, Tarunpreet Singh Sond, Dr Ravjot Singh, and Mohinder Bhagat inducted. Meanwhile, Chetan Singh Jauramajra, Brahm Shankar Jimpa, Balkar Singh, and Anmol Gagan Maan were dropped.

January 2023: Following Fauja Singh Sarari’s resignation, Dr Balbir Singh was given charge of the Health and Medical Education portfolios.

May 2023: Minister Inderbir Singh Nijjar resigned citing personal reasons. Balkar Singh and Gurmeet Singh Khudian were inducted as new ministers.

July 2022: Just four months after forming the government, CM Bhagwant Mann appointed five new AAP MLAs as ministers.

May 2022: Health Minister Vijay Singla was removed from the Cabinet over serious corruption allegations.

Sanjeev Arora won the Ludhiana West Assembly seat in a byelection held in June. The seat had fallen vacant after sitting MLA Gurpreet Singh Gogi died in January 2025 due to an accidental firearm discharge at his home. Arora, who was then a Rajya Sabha MP, was fielded by AAP as the party’s candidate.