In a significant development that continues to rattle Punjab’s political corridors, a Mohali court has extended the judicial remand of senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia by four more days in connection with a ₹540 crore disproportionate assets case linked to alleged drug-related money laundering. The decision, made during a tightly guarded hearing in the special court on Tuesday, underscores the seriousness of the probe that has now evolved into one of the state’s most politically charged legal battles in recent years.
The court’s extension of Majithia’s remand came at the request of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau, which argued that further custodial interrogation was essential to trace key financial links, unearth benami properties, and verify asset declarations reportedly inconsistent with Majithia’s known sources of income. The Bureau’s counsel submitted that fresh leads had emerged during questioning, which warranted further investigation under surveillance.
Majithia, a former Punjab minister and brother-in-law of SAD chief Sukhbir Singh Badal, has repeatedly denied all allegations, calling the case a politically motivated vendetta launched by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government to malign opposition leaders ahead of upcoming civic and panchayat elections. In a brief exchange with reporters outside the court complex, Majithia said, “I have full faith in the judiciary. These are tactics to silence political opponents, but the truth will prevail.”
The case dates back to allegations that Majithia amassed assets disproportionate to his known income over a period of several years, particularly during his tenure as Minister for Revenue, Rehabilitation and Disaster Management between 2007 and 2017. Investigators claim that funds laundered from the state’s notorious narcotics trade were funneled into land deals, business partnerships, and luxury real estate projects allegedly linked to Majithia and his associates. The estimated ₹540 crore value of the assets under scrutiny includes properties across Punjab, Chandigarh, and Delhi-NCR.
This is not the first time Majithia has come under legal scanner. In 2021, he was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act based on findings from an Enforcement Directorate report. Though he was granted interim relief at the time, the current disproportionate assets investigation marks a deepening of legal scrutiny under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Benami Transactions (Prohibition) Act.
The political implications of the case are far-reaching. The SAD has accused the Mann-led AAP government of selectively targeting opposition figures while ignoring corruption within its own ranks. “This is nothing but political vendetta,” said SAD spokesperson Daljeet Singh Cheema. “Instead of focusing on governance, the AAP is weaponizing agencies to weaken its critics.”
However, AAP leaders and government officials have defended the probe, citing the public’s demand for accountability and justice in the wake of Punjab’s prolonged battle with drug trafficking. “The people of Punjab deserve to know the truth about those who ruled over them while the youth suffered under the drug menace,” said a senior AAP minister who requested anonymity. “This is not about politics. This is about justice.”
Legal experts suggest that the extension of remand indicates the court’s satisfaction with the progress of the investigation and the legitimacy of the state’s request for further custody. “Courts do not grant repeated remand extensions lightly. The prosecution must demonstrate valid grounds,” said Advocate Rupinder Suri, a senior criminal lawyer at the Punjab and Haryana High Court. “It also means the evidence trail is still active and possibly expanding.”
Meanwhile, the case has drawn attention from watchdogs and civil society groups monitoring corruption and narco-politics in Punjab. Given the scale of the alleged embezzlement and the involvement of a high-profile political figure, the matter has also reached the radar of national anti-corruption agencies and is being watched closely by legal commentators.
The extended remand period is expected to be used by the Vigilance Bureau to cross-examine financial records, interrogate suspected accomplices, and potentially approach central agencies such as the ED and the Income Tax Department for collaborative data. If even a portion of the alleged disproportionate assets are proven to be illicit, it could lead to full-blown prosecution under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) as well.
As Majithia remains in custody, political analysts believe the case could have ripple effects on the Shiromani Akali Dal’s future, already struggling with eroded voter confidence and internal factionalism. The months ahead are likely to see intense legal fireworks, with both prosecution and defense teams preparing for prolonged courtroom battles.
For now, the extension of Majithia’s remand not only prolongs his legal ordeal but also keeps Punjab’s political atmosphere on edge—where law, legacy, and leadership are all on trial.
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