Akali Dal Celebrates Supreme Court Bail for Majithia Amidst Ongoing Political Tensions in Punjab

The Shiromani Akali Dal has welcomed the Supreme Court's bail decision for Bikram Singh Majithia, asserting that truth has prevailed. However, Punjab's Finance Minister cautions that bail does not equate to acquittal, highlighting ongoing political tensions.

The Supreme Court has granted bail to Bikram Singh Majithia, a senior leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal, in a disproportionate assets case. The party celebrated the decision, stating it revealed the truth and exposed the political vendetta by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann against Majithia.

Majithia's wife, Ganieve Kaur Majithia, expressed relief at the decision, stating that her husband would be released from Nabha jail at around 10:30 am on Tuesday. Meanwhile, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema remarked that bail does not equate to exoneration. "There are several conditions in bail. Now he Majithia will have to face the trial. We will see the order, and if possible, file a review petition," Cheema stated.

Political Reactions and Allegations

Senior Akali leaders Daljit Singh Cheema and Arshdeep Singh Kler accused the AAP government of fabricating a false case against Majithia. They claimed that after failing to substantiate charges in a narcotics case, the government targeted him with a disproportionate assets case. "This case will eventually meet the same end as the false narcotics case registered against Majithia," they asserted.

Daljit Cheema further alleged that the AAP government aimed to silence Majithia due to his criticism of their policies and advocacy for people's rights. He warned that Punjabis would respond strongly against such misuse of power for political gains.

Legal Proceedings and Background

The Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta passed the order granting bail to Majithia. This decision came after he challenged a December 4 order by the Punjab and Haryana High Court that denied him bail. Previously, Majithia had been granted bail in a separate narcotics case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrested Majithia on June 25 last year in connection with laundering Rs 540 crore of drug money. The bureau filed an extensive chargesheet in August 2022, detailing these allegations. The FIR against him was part of an ongoing investigation by a Special Investigation Team (SIT) into a 2021 drug case.

Controversy Surrounding Religious Leader's Visit

AAP leader Baltej Pannu criticised Gurinder Singh Dhillon, chief of Soami Satsang Beas (RSSB), for visiting Majithia in jail. Pannu argued that Dhillon should not have acted like a judge or commented on judicial matters. Dhillon had described the charges against Majithia as incorrect during his visit.

Majithia had previously spent over five months in Patiala jail before being released on bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court in August 2022. The ongoing legal battles highlight significant political tensions in Punjab, with accusations of politically motivated cases being central to these disputes.

With inputs from PTI