Chandigarh: Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former minister Bikram Singh Majithia has been remanded to seven days in custody by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau.
He was presented before a Mohali court on Thursday amid tight security. The Vigilance Bureau had sought a 12-day remand, but the court granted seven. The next hearing has been scheduled for July 2.
Majithia was arrested in connection with a disproportionate assets case allegedly linked to drug money. He spent the night between Wednesday and Thursday at the Vigilance office. His arrest has triggered political tensions in the state.
Heavy police deployment was seen outside the court complex, with Majithia’s supporters arriving to show solidarity. However, the police took him into custody immediately, and even senior Akali leader Daljit Cheema was not allowed to remain at the spot and was briefly detained.
The case has now taken a political turn, with opposition parties criticising the arrest as an attempt to silence dissent.
Responding to these allegations, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann said that the action was taken in accordance with legal procedures and warned that those supporting the accused could also be held accountable.
