Will Ex-DGP Siddharth Chattopadhyaya Join the Probe into Akali Leader Majithia's Rs 540 Crore Drug Money Laundering Case?

Chandigarh, June 27 (NationPress) - In a significant turn of events regarding the arrest of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who faces allegations of laundering over Rs 540 crore in drug money, the investigation agency announced on Friday that former Director General of Police (DGP) Siddharth Chattopadhyaya has consented to participate in the inquiry.

The Vigilance Bureau has summoned Chattopadhyaya to contribute to the ongoing investigation against Majithia, as he was involved in the drugs case during his tenure as DGP, according to the bureau.

“Chattopadhyaya may provide crucial insights regarding Majithia’s connections to the drug trade. He is scheduled to give his testimony to officials at 2 p.m.,” stated the bureau.

During his service, Chattopadhyaya was designated as the head of Special Investigation Teams (SITs) by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. However, a Supreme Court committee led by former judge Indu Malhotra found him guilty of compromising Prime Minister Narendra Modi's security during a visit to Ferozepur in January 2022.

Last year, the Punjab government initiated a probe against Chattopadhyaya for allegedly providing security to a rape accused who was declared a proclaimed offender while he served as the state's police chief from December 16, 2021, to January 8, 2022. Seven years prior, Chattopadhyaya submitted a report in an “individual capacity” during a High Court-monitored investigation into the links between law enforcement and drug traffickers. However, in 2023, the High Court dismissed his report.

The 1986-batch IPS officer, Chattopadhyaya, retired on March 31, 2023.

The Vigilance Bureau arrested former Minister Majithia from his upscale residence in Amritsar city on Wednesday, facing charges of laundering more than Rs 540 crore in drug money.

A trial court has since placed Majithia in seven-day custody with the Vigilance Bureau.

Investigations by the police's Special Investigation Team (SIT) into the 2021 FIR and the Vigilance Bureau have unearthed extensive laundering of drug money facilitated by Majithia, according to the government.

Initial investigations indicate that over Rs 540 crore in drug money has been laundered through various means, including an unaccounted cash deposit of Rs 161 crore in bank accounts of companies controlled by Majithia, a channeling of Rs 141 crore through suspected foreign entities, and an excess deposit of Rs 236 crore not reported in company financial statements.

Additionally, the government noted the acquisition of movable and immovable assets by Majithia, lacking any legitimate income source.

A spokesperson for the Vigilance Bureau informed the media that a case has been filed based on a report from the Special Investigation Team (SIT) under Sections 25, 27-A, and 29 of the NDPS Act, revealing substantial evidence of Majithia's involvement in massive drug money laundering.

These financial transactions are under investigation by the bureau, which asserts that the funds were illicitly funneled into Saraya Industries, allegedly facilitated by Majithia.

The spokesperson highlighted that Rs 540 crore in drug money has been traced as illegally generated through the influence of Majithia, given his position as a public servant and former legislator with a Cabinet role in the previous state government.