Governor Approves Prosecution of Ex-Minister Bikram Singh Majithia in Rs 700-Crore Corruption Case

Chandigarh: Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria has approved the prosecution of former Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) minister Bikram Singh Majithia in a corruption case registered by the Vigilance Bureau. The sanction, granted under Section 19 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, follows the Punjab cabinet’s recommendation made on September 8.

The case accuses Majithia of amassing assets worth over ₹700 crore, allegedly disproportionate to his known income by nearly 1,200 percent. Investigators claim these assets were acquired through the laundering of ₹540 crore tied to a 2013 drug trafficking network.

Majithia, a three-time MLA from Majitha, was arrested on June 25 after simultaneous raids across 26 locations, including his Amritsar residence. The Vigilance Bureau recovered digital devices, property deeds, and financial records during the search. He was remanded to seven days of police custody, later extended by four more days, before being placed in judicial custody on July 6.

On August 22, the Bureau submitted a 40,000-page chargesheet containing extensive financial documents and statements from more than 200 witnesses. The probe stems from a 2013 Enforcement Directorate inquiry into a ₹6,000-crore synthetic drug racket allegedly led by former DSP Jagdish Singh Bhola, who had named Majithia during questioning. While earlier drug-related charges were dropped, the current case centers on corruption and money laundering.

Majithia has maintained his innocence, terming the allegations “politically motivated.” His regular bail plea was dismissed in August, though the Punjab and Haryana High Court later granted him interim relief in September. The case will proceed before a Mohali sessions court.