Former Punjab DGP Sidharth Chattopadhyaya, who had named Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia in his 2017 investigation into the nexus between drug traffickers and politicians, reiterated the result of his findings on Friday in Mohali where he had been asked to depose before the vigilance bureau.
Chattopadhyaya said there was “100 per cent proof” of a nexus between the SAD leader and drug traffickers, and that previous Congress and SAD-BJP state governments had turned a blind eye to it.
Speaking with media persons after recording his statement in the disproportionate assets case against Majithia, Chattopadhyaya maintained that the investigation report submitted by him when he was made head of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) ordered by the High Court in 2017 “contained everything” except for the money laundering trail, which the vigilance probe has established now.
Majithia was arrested from his Amritsar residence two days ago and sent to a seven-day vigilance custody by a Mohali court on Thursday. He has been accused of amassing wealth beyond his known sources of income and laundering ₹540 crore of drug money.
Also Read: Fresh FIR likely against Majithia for provoking supporters
“My investigation report had recommended that the money trail should be probed,” the former DGP asserted.
When constituting a SIT and appointing Chattopadhyaya as its head, the court had specifically directed the probe to focus on the alleged collusion between Inspector Inderjit Singh – who was already dismissed on drug-related charges – and his superior, AIG Raj Jit Singh, who is yet to be arrested.
But, Chattopadhyaya, who was convinced that drug smuggling and money laundering were part of a broader network, expanded the scope of the probe and submitted multiple reports, including one prepared in his personal capacity.
According to sources, the return of Chattopadhyaya in the current probe against Majithia could lead to the disclosure of several high-profile police officers.
Even though Chattopadhyaya’s individual report was dismissed by the High Court in 2023, ruling that “it exceeded the original scope of investigation and was not endorsed by the SIT as a collective body”, it created a furore.
Despite former DGPs Suresh Arora and Dinkar Gupta opposing its disclosure, calling it “beyond the court’s mandate” and “driven by personal ambition to secure the top post”, the Punjab Government dismissed AIG Raj Jit Singh in 2023 and charged him with criminal conspiracy, record tampering and extortion.
He was accused of accumulating disproportionate assets linked to drug-related corruption and recommending double promotions for the notorious officer, Inderjit Singh.
Majithia had accused Chattopadhyaya of acting with mala fide intent, alleging that he was seeking favours with the previous Congress government.
Meanwhile, another name that cropped up in the current investigations against Majithia is that of former Deputy Director of the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Niranjan Singh, whose investigation report had formed the basis of the registration of a case of drug-smuggling against Majithia on December 20, 2021.
After carrying out a detailed probe against Majithia, Niranjan Singh was transferred out of Punjab allegedly due to political pressure.
The former ED Deputy Director was asked to appear before the Vigilance Bureau on Saturday to record his statement.
“I have been called to the VB office on Saturday at Mohali at 12:30 pm. Though all records and investigations that I had conducted against Majithia are in possession of the ED office in Jalandhar, I shall try to give them whatever information or findings I remember off hand,” he said.
Reminding everyone of drug lord Jagdish Bhola naming Majithia’s name in drug smuggling, Niranjan Singh said the agency was now examining 102 people in a drug trafficking case.
“We had summoned Majithia to the ED's Jalandhar office in December 2014. I had re-summoned him, but he did not appear for the second date. I had just started a probe against him when I was transferred out to West Bengal,” he said.
“While the ED was investigating him under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, the VB has taken up the Prevention of Corruption Act case and claims to have found a money trail. This money trail can be investigated by the current ED officials too,” he said.
Majithia inducted in SAD core committee
Despite being in the Vigilance Bureau’s custody, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia was on Friday inducted in the core committee of SAD, albeit without being accorded any post.
An announcement in this regard was made by party president, Sukhbir Badal.
The core committee includes Balwinder Singh Bhunder, Harjinder Singh Dhami, Naresh Gujral, Parmjit Singh Sarna, Hira Singh Gabria, Gulzar Singh Ranike, Maheshinder Singh Grewal, Daljit Singh Cheema, Janmeja Singh Sekhon, Sikander Singh Maluka and Harsimrat Kaur Badal.
Bhunder has also been appointed the SAD secretary general, Daljit Singh Cheema, the secretary, and former Dera Bassi MLA, NK Sharma, the cashier. Sarabjit Singh Jhijhar has been appointed as the president of the Youth Akali Dal while Hargobind Kaur will be the chief of the party women wing.
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