majithia-sent-to-7-day-remand-in-540-cr-drug-money-case

A Mohali court on Thursday remanded Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia to seven days of Vigilance Bureau custody, a day after his arrest in a high-profile case involving the alleged laundering of over ₹540 crore in drug money.

 

The Vigilance Bureau had arrested him on Wednesday after registering a fresh disproportionate assets case and alleging his involvement in laundering over ₹540 crore in drug money.

 

Majithia was brought to the court under heavy security. Earlier in the morning, the police detained several SAD supporters who had gathered to protest against the arrest of the former minister outside the court complex.

 

The Vigilance Bureau had sought a 12-day remand of Majithia, accusing him of facilitating laundering over Rs 540 crore of drug money. However, the court granted seven days, directing that Majithia be produced in the court again on July 2.

 

According to Ferry Sofat, counsel for the Vigilance Bureau, Majithia allegedly threatened the vigilance team during a raid at his Amritsar residence on Wednesday, when he was taken into custody.

 

The Bureau claims that preliminary findings point to Majithia’s role in facilitating the laundering of drug money through multiple channels.

SAD spokesperson Arshdeep Singh Kler on Thursday termed the FIR against Majithia "bogus", and said the senior party leader was being targeted for raising people's issues and being vocal against the Mann government.

 

Majithia, the brother-in-law of SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, is already facing a probe in a 2021 drugs case.

 

The fresh FIR of disproportionate assets stems from the ongoing SIT investigation into the 2021 drug case, in which Majithia is already under scrutiny. A vigilance spokesperson said an investigation by the SIT and the bureau revealed "massive laundering of drug money facilitated by Majithia”.

 

The financial irregularities included huge unaccounted cash worth Rs 161 crore deposited in bank accounts of companies controlled by Majithia, channelisation of Rs 141 crore through suspected foreign entities, excess deposition of Rs 236 crore without disclosure or explanation in company financial statements, and acquisition of movable and immovable assets by Majithia without any legitimate sources of income.