A Mohali court on Saturday extended the judicial custody of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia till August 2 in connection with an alleged money laundering and disproportionate assets case.
Majithia was produced before the court following the completion of his earlier 14-day remand. He had been taken into judicial custody on July 6 after his arrest by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau on June 25 under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The former minister is currently lodged at New Nabha Jail.
On July 8, the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted Majithia three weeks to amend his petition challenging the arrest. During the hearing on his bail plea, Majithia’s counsel sought additional time to revise the petition, which the court approved. The revised plea will be heard on July 29.
The case against Majithia includes allegations of amassing assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. His arrest came following raids at his residence in Amritsar. After initial custody under the Vigilance Bureau, his remand was extended before he was moved to judicial custody.
Special Public Prosecutor Ferry Sofat confirmed that the state had sought further judicial remand, which the court granted.
Meanwhile, SAD leader Dr. Daljit Singh Cheema criticised the Punjab government for what he called excessive security arrangements around Majithia’s arrest and termed the situation “reminiscent of the Emergency.” He accused the ruling Aam Aadmi Party of indulging in vendetta politics to malign Akali Dal leaders.
“This government is trying to defame SAD leadership through lies and false propaganda,” Cheema alleged.
