Is the AAP Government Engaging in Political Vendetta Against Majithia?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Allegations of political vendetta against AAP government.
- Claims of legal violations in registering cases without proper investigation.
- Opposition solidarity expressed by Akali Dal leaders.
- Concerns about democracy and governance in Punjab.
- Implications for public trust in political institutions.
Chandigarh, June 26 (NationPress) The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) claimed on Thursday that the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has breached legal protocols by initiating a case concerning disproportionate assets against party leader Bikram Singh Majithia without conducting a preliminary or formal investigation.
They alleged that the government is engaging in political vendetta to silence Majithia and distract from the ineffectiveness of its 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' initiative.
Senior party officials Balwinder Bhundar, Maheshinder Grewal, and Daljit Cheema charged the government with misleading the public and even showing contempt of court by claiming that Majithia had been implicated in a Rs 540-crore drug case.
"This assertion is not only ludicrous but a collection of falsehoods for which AAP leaders will be held responsible," Grewal emphasized, questioning why the government has not disclosed any evidence concerning the fabricated Rs 540 crore figure.
He highlighted that when AAP leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia were arrested in the Delhi liquor scam, there were clear complaints from liquor contractors alleging bribery.
Grewal noted that previously, Majithia was granted bail by the High Court in the NDPS case initiated by the former Congress government, which determined there was no evidence of drug money recovery or financial transactions.
He informed the media that the public prosecutor stated in court that only a case for disproportionate assets had been filed against Majithia.
"This claim is also fabricated. The properties listed in the complaint have been part of the Majithia family long before Bikram was born. The Majithia lineage is a longstanding landed family, with his grandfather owning airplanes and a Rolls-Royce. It is also misleading to assert that Bikram was a decision-maker at Saraya Industries, given that he resigned as a director in 2007," he stated.
Akali Dal leader Cheema mentioned that the allegations against Majithia had recently been presented to the Supreme Court while seeking to annul the bail previously granted in an NDPS case.
"The Supreme Court chose not to acknowledge these allegations, which have now been recycled into a new case," Cheema remarked.
He also brought attention to the AAP government's creation of a curfew-like atmosphere in the Mohali court during Majithia's appearance, leading to the harassment of litigants.
Veteran leader Bhundar expressed that the vindictive actions reminded people of the Emergency and described them as a threat to democracy.
Bhundar stated that the AAP government has been attempting to implicate Majithia for over three years, creating multiple Special Investigation Teams (SITs) and even suspending officers to coerce them into illegal actions.
He expressed gratitude to the opposition for showing solidarity with Majithia and raising their voices against the retaliatory actions.
The government reported on Wednesday that investigations by the police SIT into the 2021 FIR revealed significant laundering of drug money facilitated by Majithia.
It further stated that preliminary findings indicated over Rs 540 crore in drug money was laundered through various channels, including an unaccounted cash deposit of Rs 161 crore in bank accounts belonging to companies managed by Majithia, Rs 141 crore funneled through suspected foreign entities, and excess deposits of Rs 236 crore without proper disclosure or explanation in the financial records of the companies.