Punjab: Drugs giving Shiromani Akali Dal a bad name

Despite the efforts made by the ruling Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) to get him a “clean chit”, the drug taint refuses to leave Bikram Singh Majithia, Punjab’s revenue minister and brother of Union minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal.

Majithia, who was questioned by the enforcement directorate on December 26, 2014, in connection with his alleged role in the infamous synthetic drugs case, has now been accused of receiving the drug money by arrested synthetic druglord Jagjit Singh Chahal. Chahal, in a written statement to the enforcement directorate (ED), has claimed that he had made a payment of Rs 35 lakh to Majithia between 2007 and 2012.

According to ED sources, Chahal had also said he had supplied pseudoephedrine (a chemical used to make drugs) to Satpreet Singh Satta and Parminder Singh Pindi who are close to Majithia. Sources said Chahal, in his statement recorded on February 9, 2015, has told the ED that Majithia was paid Rs 35 lakh in the name of election funds in seven instalments of five lakh rupees each. Chahal has also allegedly told the ED that the payment was made to Majithia at his Amritsar residence.

Chahal is the second accused who has linked Majithia to the international drug racket after prime accused Jagdish Singh Bhola, who had on January 7, 2014, said that Majithia is also involved in the synthetic drug racket.

Maninder Singh Bittu Aulakh, treasurer, Amritsar rural unit of the Akali Dal, and Chahal, who owned a drug factory in Baddi Himachal, were arrested on November 15, 2013, along with synthetic drugs valued at around five point eight crore rupees. Bittu Aulakh, who is believed to be close to Majithia and Boni Ajnala, son of Akali Dal leader Rattan Singh Ajnala, is also accused of having links with the smugglers.

Chahal’s statement is part of the chargesheet filed in a Patiala court on March 3, 2015, by the ED.

The fresh allegations against Majithia have created ripples in political circles as the Punjab Assembly is in session. The opposition Congress has once again stepped up its ante against Majithia and demanded his removal as a cabinet minister.

“Majithia’s name has appeared in the chargesheet filed by the ED in a Patiala court on March 3, which also includes the confessional statement of one of the accused Jagjit Singh Chahal who  has directly implicated Majithia. He should step down on moral grounds,” state Congress president Partap Singh Bajwa said.

The Congress also staged a walk-out from the Assembly on the issue and the party has also demanded registration of a case against Bikram Singh Majithia.

“The allegations are very serious. The ED should look into this. In the meantime, Majithia should not be allowed to function as a cabinet minister,” Punjab’s leader of opposition Sunil Jakhar said.

In response, Majithia has said he was deeply affronted by the “wild and unsubstantiated allegations being levelled against him”.

The Punjab minister also said he was open to a transparent and fair investigation that would reveal the truth and clear his name.

“Vested interests in an august investigating agency (ED) are briefing newsmen about my alleged complicity in drug deals when no evidence of any such complicity on my part has come to light following questioning of various accused persons. All these allegations, which are an afterthought, are aimed solely at maligning my image,” Majithia said.

Meanwhile, ED sources have confirmed that Majithia can be summoned in the case again after the fresh allegations have surfaced.