DA case: Mohali court junks Majithia's bail plea; SAD leader to challenge order in HC

Chandigarh, Aug 18 (PTI) A Mohali court in Punjab on Monday rejected the bail plea of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who was arrested in a disproportionate assets (DA) case.

Speaking to reporters, public prosecutor Ferry Sofat said the court dismissed the bail plea filed by Majithia.

Sofat said the bail application was dismissed on two grounds -- investigation being underway and the serious nature of the alleged offences.

He said the court held a day-to-day hearing for at least 10 days on Majithia's bail plea.

SAD spokesperson and Majithia's counsel Arshdeep Sing Kler said they will soon challenge this order in the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Majithia is currently lodged in New Nabha Jail in Patiala.

On August 14, the court extended his judicial custody till August 28.

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrested Majithia on June 25 in the DA case allegedly involving the laundering of Rs 540 crore of "drug money".

On July 6, Majithia was sent to judicial custody. His judicial remand was extended on July 19 and then on August 2.

The Vigilance Bureau, in its FIR, claimed preliminary investigations revealed that over Rs 540 crore of "drug money" was laundered through several ways and it was allegedly facilitated by Majithia.

This FIR against Majithia stems from an ongoing investigation being conducted by a Punjab Police special investigation team into the 2021 drug case.

In 2021, Majithia was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

The action was taken on the basis of a 2018 report of the anti-drug special task force.

Majithia spent more than five months in Patiala Jail and walked out of prison in August 2022 after the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted him bail. PTI CHS KSS KSS