‘Drug money’: Majithia sent to 7-day remand; Mann warns of more arrests

 CHANDIGARH 

Former Punjab Minister and senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia was sent to a seven-day vigilance remand in a case involving the alleged laundering of drug money on Thursday, a day after his arrest.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said the focus of the State’s anti-drug crackdown is now shifting from small-time peddlers to “big players” involved in the trade.

Reacting to Mr. Majithia’s arrest, Mr. Mann said that statements of support from Opposition parties revealed a deep-rooted political nexus shielding drug traffickers.

He added that 29 mobile phones, eight laptops, and other critical pieces of evidence were seized from the former minister’s residence. “The arrest has exposed an unholy alliance among traditional political parties on the drug issue, a nexus that has ruined Punjab. More prominent figures will soon face action. Their properties will be seized or demolished,” he told reporters.

Mr. Majithia was arrested by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Wednesday for allegedly laundering over ₹540 crore in drug money through various channels. He was produced before a court in Mohali, which sent him to a seven-day remand. He is set to be produced again on July 2, according to Ferry Sofat, counsel for the Vigilance Bureau.

‘Political vendetta’

The Shiromani Akali Dal accused the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government of “political vendetta”, alleging that the State filed a disproportionate assets case against Mr. Majithia without any preliminary or formal investigation to divert attention from its failed “war against drugs” campaign.