Mohali/Amritsar: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former Punjab Minister Bikram Singh Majithia continues to remain in judicial custody at Nabha jail as the Mohali court once again postponed the hearing on his bail plea in the disproportionate assets case. The court has now scheduled the next hearing for August 6.
Majithia, who is under judicial custody, was arrested by the Vigilance Bureau on June 25 from Amritsar. He has been accused of amassing assets far beyond his known sources of income. He is currently lodged at the New Nabha Jail.
Apart from the bail plea, his request for a change of jail barrack is also pending in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The court is expected to hear both pleas together on August 6.
Arrest from Amritsar in Disproportionate Assets Case
The Vigilance Bureau arrested Majithia in Amritsar based on charges that he acquired wealth disproportionate to his income. Prior to this, in 2021, he was also booked under the NDPS Act during the Congress regime in Punjab.
Investigations have already recorded statements from several officials, including former DGP Siddharth Chattopadhyaya and a former Deputy Director of the Enforcement Directorate. Raids have been conducted on Majithia’s properties in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, and Uttar Pradesh.
Government officials claim to have strong evidence to support the allegations, while Majithia’s legal team maintains that the case is politically motivated and lacks substance.
Leaders Denied Access in Jail
A fresh controversy erupted as Akali leaders alleged that they are being denied access to meet Majithia in jail. SAD President Sukhbir Singh Badal had earlier visited Nabha Jail to meet Majithia but was reportedly denied a meeting. Similarly, Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema and three other senior Akali leaders were also not allowed to meet him.
The Akali Dal has termed this as a violation of human rights, claiming that it is unfair to restrict the jailed leader from meeting his party colleagues.