SAD’s Bikram Majithia Remanded to Jail in ₹540 Crore Drug Money Case; AAP Govt Faces Allegations of Political Vendetta
Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia has been sent to 14 days of judicial custody by a Mohali court in connection with a high-profile disproportionate assets and money laundering case. This judicial remand will last until July 19, 2025, following the completion of his extended four-day Vigilance Bureau custody. The case has attracted statewide attention, with Majithia’s legal team and party members calling it a politically motivated move by the AAP-led Punjab government.
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrested Majithia over serious allegations of laundering over ₹540 crore in drug money, reportedly using shell companies, benami properties, and suspicious foreign transactions to hide illegal wealth. These revelations came as part of a fresh investigation that claims to have unearthed new evidence tying Majithia to illicit financial activities dating back several years.
Political Vendetta or Crackdown on Crime? Majithia’s Legal Battle Deepens as Vigilance Keeps 3 Days in Reserve
According to public prosecutor Ferry Sofat, the judicial custody was sought under the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), India’s updated criminal procedure code. Out of the maximum 15 days of permissible custody, the authorities have so far used 12 days—keeping the remaining three in reserve should further interrogation become necessary. This strategy allows the investigation to remain legally flexible as new leads emerge.
Mohali, Punjab: In the SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia case, the Mohali court has sent him to 14 days of judicial custody.
— IANS (@ians_india) July 6, 2025
Government lawyer Ferry Sofat says, "Today, an application was moved on behalf of the Vigilance Department for judicial demand under the BNSS Act. The… pic.twitter.com/f7rjaXz1C6
Majithia’s legal team maintains that the arrest is politically driven, claiming it’s part of a vendetta to suppress opposition voices ahead of the upcoming state elections. A petition challenging his arrest and remand is still pending before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, with the next hearing scheduled for July 8, 2025.
The court proceedings in Mohali saw heightened security, with several Akali Dal leaders detained or placed under house arrest to prevent demonstrations outside the courthouse. SAD spokespersons compared the crackdown to an “undeclared emergency,” while Majithia was transferred to Nabha Jail under tight police protection.
This case is just the latest development in Punjab’s intensifying political and legal landscape, especially as the AAP government continues its high-profile anti-corruption drive. Whether the new charges will stick or unravel under judicial scrutiny remains to be seen. However, the political tremors are already being felt across the state.
