Chandigarh — Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia will remain in judicial custody until September 20, following a court order on Saturday. The extension comes as the Punjab politician continues to face proceedings in a case that has drawn significant political attention across the state.
Alongside the extension of custody, the court has also set September 9 as the next hearing date in a separate matter relating to a barrack change request filed by Majithia. His legal team has pressed for a shift in his prison accommodation, citing safety and other concerns. The court will hear arguments and take a decision in the matter on the scheduled date.
Majithia, a former cabinet minister and one of the senior-most leaders of the Akali Dal, has remained in custody for months over charges linked to alleged narcotics-related offences. His arrest and subsequent judicial remand have been at the center of Punjab’s political discourse, with the Akali Dal repeatedly alleging that the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government is pursuing a vendetta against its leaders.
The state government, on the other hand, has maintained that the case is part of its commitment to tackle the drug menace in Punjab and that no individual is above the law.
Majithia’s prolonged custody has fueled debates across political circles, with the SAD organizing demonstrations and calling the case a politically motivated attempt to weaken the opposition. The AAP government has defended the proceedings, pointing out that the charges stem from investigations conducted under judicial oversight.
As the September 9 hearing approaches, attention is likely to remain on whether the court grants Majithia relief in the barrack change matter. Meanwhile, his extended stay in judicial custody until September 20 ensures that the issue will continue to remain a flashpoint in Punjab’s political landscape.
