In a joint operation by the Vigilance Bureau and the Punjab Police, former Cabinet Minister and senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader, Bikram Majithia, was arrested from his residence in Amritsar. The operation, initiated early Wednesday morning, involved raids at 25 locations across the state, including nine linked to Majithia. The Vigilance Bureau described this action as a crucial part of the “War Against Drugs” campaign.
Following the arrest, Bikram Majithia accused the government of political vendetta, claiming he was being targeted to silence his voice. Majithia stated, “The government is trying to intimidate me, but I will not back down.” The arrest has sparked significant political activity in the state.
Aam Aadmi Party MLA, Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, raised questions about the government’s raids, deeming them unethical and a violation of family dignity. He pointed out that during the arrest of Majithia when the Congress government was in power, the then-Bhagwant Mann government did not seek a remand or conduct any interrogation, and also supported his bail. He argued that this current action constitutes a violation of not only political etiquette but also human dignity.
A Big Leader Cannot Be Ignored
Aam Aadmi Party convener, Arvind Kejriwal, responded sharply to Bikram Majithia’s arrest in a drug case. He asserted that no matter how prominent a leader may be, they are not above the law. Kejriwal accused Majithia of colluding with international drug dealers, stating that ministers who allegedly used their vehicles to transport drugs were also accountable. He praised the Bhagwant Mann government’s actions in Punjab, predicting that AAP would win more than 100 seats in the state in the next election.
My Voice Is Being Attempted to Suppress
Following his arrest in the drug case, Bikram Majithia, senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader, leveled serious allegations against the Vigilance Bureau and the Punjab government. Majithia claimed that the Vigilance Bureau had fabricated an FIR on Tuesday night and conducted a forced raid at his Amritsar residence on Wednesday morning. He described the action as a false case of disproportionate assets and asserted that the entire operation was driven by political retribution.
In a conversation with the media, Majithia clarified that when the Bhagwant Mann government had found nothing in the drug case, a fabricated case was now being prepared against him. He accused the Vigilance team of entering his home without cause to harass him mentally. Majithia stated firmly, “I will not be afraid and the government cannot suppress my voice.”
The former minister also stated that he had consistently spoken out on issues of Punjab’s interests and the welfare of the public and would continue to do so. He expressed confidence that truth would ultimately prevail and the current government’s anti-people agenda would be exposed.
Politicians Have Been Arrested Before
The issue of drugs is not new in Punjab’s political landscape. Following Bikram Majithia’s arrest, it has once again come to the forefront. However, this is not the first time a prominent leader has been accused of being involved in a drug network. In October 2023, former Congress MLA and current BJP leader, Satkar Kaur and her driver Jaspreet Singh were arrested from Mohali’s Khard area on charges of attempting to sell 100 grams of heroin. Police also recovered four vehicles and fake number plates from Delhi-Haryana, which were allegedly used in the drug supply.
Prior to this, in 2014, Punjab’s former Director General of Police (Jails), Shshankit, released a list of those allegedly involved in drug trafficking, sparking political turmoil. His report identified six influential figures, two of whom were then ministers in the Akali-BJP government. Shshankit stated clearly that political patronage was being extended to the drug business in Punjab, which was the reason for the widespread addiction among the state’s youth.
These incidents demonstrate that the scope of the drug network in Punjab extends beyond criminals and has roots in power and politics. Every time action is taken against a prominent figure, political rhetoric intensifies, but a decisive battle against drug trafficking remains a challenge.
