The North News
Chandigarh, December 4
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Thursday dismissed the bail application of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia in a disproportionate assets case. Majithia, a three-time MLA from Majitha and former Punjab minister, was arrested by the state Vigilance Bureau (VB) on 25 June during coordinated raids across more than two dozen locations. The VB has also arrested Harpreet Singh Gulati, an associate of Majithia, over alleged illicit fund transfers routed through multiple liquor companies. Investigators allege that sections of Punjab’s liquor trade came under political control after the Akali Dal formed government in 2007, with Gulati — a car dealer who later entered the liquor business — among those who allegedly benefited.
According to the VB, companies linked to Gulati, including Akash Spriti, UV Enterprises and AD Enterprises, secured liquor licences from 2008 onwards “at the behest” of Majithia. Between 2008 and 2010, the firms allegedly transferred about ₹5.65 crore to companies linked to Majithia and his family, funds which investigators say were used to purchase property in Delhi’s Sainik Farms and real estate in Shimla.
A further ₹5.49 crore was allegedly routed in 2014–15 to settle loans tied to entities associated with Majithia. The bureau says it has so far traced nearly ₹10 crore in transfers to companies linked to the former minister, warning that more transactions may surface as the probe deepens.
According to the VB, the case against Majithia centres on alleged underreporting of land assets and large-scale financial irregularities. Saraya Industries, a company connected to Majithia’s family since the 1950s, reportedly saw a surge of up to 300% in cash deposits after he became a minister in 2007. Besides it, between 2012 and 2013, deposits touched ₹1,342 crore, of which ₹236 crore remain unexplained, the VB further said.
The VB have also flagged an unrepaid foreign loan and an unexplained increase of ₹1.5 crore in personal assets. The bureau estimates total financial irregularities at about ₹540 crore. In a previous hearing, it cited major discrepancies between Majithia’s affidavits and property documents, noting that while he declared ownership of 0.56 hectares of land in Shimla, a sale deed indicated possession of 402 hectares.
