THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Mohali, July 19: Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who is facing serious charges in a disproportionate assets and money laundering case linked to drug trafficking, will remain in judicial custody till August 2, as ordered by a Mohali court on Saturday.
Majithia, currently lodged in New Nabha Jail in Patiala, was brought to Mohali amid heavy police security for his court appearance. The extension of his custody follows his initial remand on July 6.
Public Prosecutor Ferry Sofat confirmed to reporters after the hearing that the court accepted the state’s request to continue Majithia’s judicial detention.
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June Arrest Triggered by Vigilance Raid
The former Punjab minister, who was earlier taken into custody by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau on June 25 in a disproportionate assets case under the Prevention of Corruption Act, is currently lodged in New Nabha Jail.
He was arrested after searches were conducted at his residence in Amritsar and brought to Mohali on June 26, where he was initially remanded to seven days in Vigilance Bureau custody, later extended by four days.
Majithia’s judicial remand began on July 6 and was initially set to end on July 19. However, the court has now extended it until August 2.
Bail Hearing in High Court Set for July 29
Meanwhile, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has scheduled the hearing of Majithia’s bail plea for July 29.
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Vigilance Bureau Alleges ₹540 Crore Drug Money Laundering
The case against Majithia is part of a larger investigation into alleged laundering of over ₹540 crore, believed to be proceeds of drug trafficking.
According to the Punjab Vigilance Bureau, this illegal money was funneled through multiple channels with Majithia allegedly playing a key role.
The latest FIR filed by the bureau builds on findings of a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the 2021 drug trafficking case in which Majithia had earlier been booked under the NDPS Act.
That 2021 case was based on a 2018 report by Punjab’s anti-drug Special Task Force, which flagged Majithia’s alleged involvement in drug syndicates. He was previously arrested and spent over five months in Patiala jail before being released on bail in August 2022 by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
