The walls appear to be closing in on senior Akali leader and former Minister Bikram Singh Majithia as the Punjab Vigilance Bureau intensified its probe into the alleged drug money and disproportionate assets case against him. In a significant escalation, the Bureau is preparing to take Majithia to multiple locations in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh linked to his alleged assets and associates for on-site verification and evidence gathering.
The development comes on the heels of several key testimonies strengthening the case against him. After former Punjab DGP Siddharth Chattopadhyay and former ED Deputy Director Niranjan Singh coming forward against Majithia, his former colleague and one-time confidant, ex-MLA Amarpal Singh Bony Ajnala, appeared before the Vigilance Bureau and delivered a scathing statement that may prove pivotal.
Speaking to the media outside the Vigilance office in Mohali, Ajnala accused Majithia of introducing him to known drug smugglers and shielding the narcotics mafia in Punjab. “Back in 2013, I had warned the then Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal through a detailed letter about Majithia’s links to drug smugglers like Bittoo Aulakh and the suspicious movement of such elements between Amritsar and Rajpura,” Ajnala said, adding, “I have stood by my claims since then, and I told Vigilance everything again today.”
Ajnala recounted being introduced by Majithia to two notorious smugglers — Satta and Pindi — at the Akali leader’s residence, describing them as Majithia’s “close friends”. He reiterated that he had raised his voice when no one dared speak. “I knew they’d cut my ticket, but I couldn’t stay silent. Today, all parties — Congress, AAP, Akalis — are speaking about the drug menace I flagged a decade ago,” he added.
Notably, the Vigilance Bureau has also sent teams to Amritsar to record statements from Majithia’s former personal assistant Talbir, another potential witness who may shed light on the extent of Majithia’s network and financial dealings.
Sources revealed that Vigilance has identified multiple properties in Punjab and Himachal Pradesh suspected to be linked to Majithia’s alleged drug money. “Verification of these locations in the presence of Majithia will help corroborate witness testimonies and trace the money trail,” an official confirmed The Pioneer.
Ajnala also raised serious concerns about evidence tampering, recalling how vital case records were stolen from the Banur police station during the tenure of former Chief Minister Charanjit Singh Channi. “Who will take responsibility for that? Rs 6000 crores of drug money vanished, and records conveniently disappeared. If FIR No. 44 had been properly investigated, this case would have concluded long ago,” he said.
Meanwhile, another legal blow appears imminent. The Vigilance Bureau is mulling a fresh FIR against Majithia based on his conduct during the recent search operation. Allegations have surfaced that Majithia attempted to obstruct the investigation by threatening officials, instigating his supporters to create a ruckus, and even conspiring to destroy crucial evidence.
According to officials, the Bureau had credible information that key documents related to the case were stored at one of Majithia’s residences. However, when the team reached the location, a mob — allegedly mobilized at Majithia’s behest — attacked them, stalling the search and forcing a temporary retreat.
“This was a deliberate attempt to derail the investigation. Based on the current findings, a separate case for criminal intimidation, destruction of evidence, and obstructing a government official in duty may soon be registered,” a senior Vigilance officer said.