Is Sukhbir Badal Challenging Punjab CM on Saraya Industries Allegations?
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Synopsis
In a bold move, SAD President Sukhbir Badal has challenged Punjab's Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann over allegations linked to Saraya Industries. With claims of foreign funding and political vendetta swirling, the political landscape intensifies. This confrontation raises questions about accountability and transparency within the state's governance.
Key Takeaways
- Sukhbir Badal challenges the Punjab CM to prove allegations against Bikram Singh Majithia.
- The case revolves around claims of foreign funding to Saraya Industries.
- Badal defends that all transactions were legally vetted.
- Political motivations behind the case are heavily questioned.
- The role of the Supreme Court adds complexity to the situation.
Chandigarh, June 28 (NationPress) The President of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), Sukhbir Badal, on Saturday issued a challenge to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, demanding proof that Saraya Industries Limited, where senior party leader Bikram Singh Majithia holds an inherited 11 percent share, has secured even Rs 1 in foreign funding from 2007 until today.
Rejecting the claims associated with the disproportionate assets case against Majithia, Badal informed the media: “The sole foreign funding received by Saraya Industries occurred in March 2006, prior to the SAD forming government in the state, when Clearwater Corporation, based in the US, invested Rs 35 crore for a 25 percent stake in the company. Majithia didn't enter politics until 2007.”
Moreover, Badal emphasized that Clearwater Corporation, known for its global presence, had invested a staggering Rs 50,000 crore worldwide.
“Every penny invested by this corporation through the NBFC in Saraya Industries was facilitated with the necessary approvals from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Foreign Investment Promotion Board (FIPB),” he added.
Badal clarified that all operations of Saraya Industries were thoroughly vetted and accepted by the Income Tax Department.
“This clearly demonstrates that the allegations of an investment of Rs 540 crore into Saraya Industries through foreign funding are nonsensical and intended solely to tarnish Majithia’s reputation,” he asserted.
He also stated that all cash transactions related to Saraya Industries’ sugarcane procurement and distillation processes had undergone scrutiny from the Income Tax Department.
He clarified that Saraya Industries Ltd is a private limited company, which is treated as a public limited entity, and is distinct from Bikram Majithia, with no direct control from him over its daily operations.
Badal accused Chief Minister Mann of coercing the state DGP to initiate action against Majithia due to his ongoing exposure of the Chief Minister’s alleged corrupt practices and those of his cabinet members. He claimed that Mann contacted the DGP on the night of June 24, threatening job loss if a case against Majithia wasn't filed by morning.
“As a result, the DGP directed the Vigilance Department to file a case against the Akali leader at 10:40 PM that same night. The disproportionate assets case against Majithia was subsequently registered at 4:40 AM on June 25,” he explained.
Badal maintained that no proper investigation had been conducted before this case was registered.
“The Vigilance Department didn’t find it necessary to send a questionnaire to Majithia, which is a standard protocol before filing such cases,” he emphasized.
Badal noted that an affidavit submitted by the government to the Supreme Court in 2023, while appealing for the cancellation of Majithia's regular bail and requesting his custodial interrogation under the NDPS Act, was used verbatim to initiate this new case against him.
“This move occurred despite the Supreme Court dismissing the affidavit in April and refusing to revoke Majithia's regular bail or grant custodial interrogation. The apex court had even instructed the AAP government to conclude its investigation within two days, following which they have resorted to this new tactic for political revenge,” Badal stated.
Furthermore, the SAD President condemned the AAP government for allegedly employing retired officials to discredit Majithia.
“Former DGP S. Chattopadhyaya is the same individual who had previously filed a disproportionate assets case against former Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal and him. He even traveled internationally at government expense to seek evidence of foreign assets owned by the Badal family, but the case collapsed due to insufficient evidence,” he remarked.
He also acknowledged retired Enforcement Director Niranjan Singh, who was involved but had cleared Majithia, was intentionally excluded from the case's scope.
The Vigilance Bureau arrested former Minister Majithia on Wednesday at his residence in an upscale area of Amritsar, accusing him of laundering over Rs 540 crore in drug money. A trial court subsequently remanded him to a seven-day Vigilance Bureau custody.
Point of View
It is crucial to present an unbiased view on the unfolding events in Punjab. The allegations against senior leaders like Bikram Majithia and the subsequent responses from political figures highlight a contentious political climate. Such disputes underscore the importance of thorough investigations and transparency in governance, a sentiment that resonates across the nation.
NationPress
28/06/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the allegations against Bikram Singh Majithia?
Bikram Singh Majithia is accused of laundering over Rs 540 crore in drug money, with claims that Saraya Industries received foreign funding improperly.
What is Sukhbir Badal's stance on the case?
Sukhbir Badal challenges the Punjab CM to provide evidence of foreign funding, asserting that previous investments were made legally and with proper approvals.
How has the AAP government responded to these allegations?
The AAP government, led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has faced accusations of initiating a political vendetta against Majithia and the SAD party.
What is the significance of the Supreme Court's involvement?
The Supreme Court previously dismissed an affidavit against Majithia, which raises questions about the motivations behind the new allegations and the timing of the case.
What are the implications of these allegations for Punjab politics?
These allegations bring to light the ongoing power struggles in Punjab politics, emphasizing the need for accountability and transparency in leadership.
