Chandigarh: Amid renewed discussions over a possible alliance between the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and the BJP, the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government has made a fresh political move, asking the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to investigate SAD leader and former minister Bikram Singh Majithia in an alleged ₹736.96-crore money laundering case.
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau has written to the ED, seeking registration of a case and further investigation into the alleged money laundering. Political observers see the move as a potential political “googly”, given that the state Vigilance Bureau functions under the AAP-led government, while the ED operates under the BJP-led Centre.
By forwarding its findings to the central agency, the Punjab government has effectively placed the onus on the ED to act against an Akali leader at a time when the SAD and BJP are reportedly exploring the possibility of renewing their alliance.
Majithia has denied the allegations, maintaining that they would not stand scrutiny in court.
According to a Vigilance Bureau spokesperson, the agency’s investigation points to an alleged financial network involving family members, close associates, multiple companies and overseas entities. The network was allegedly used to generate, transfer and conceal disproportionate wealth.
In its communication to the ED, the bureau described Majithia as the alleged mastermind and principal beneficiary of the network.
The spokesperson said the investigation had identified a three-stage process for allegedly diverting funds. This involved transactions through domestic companies and overseas entities in countries including Cyprus and Singapore.
The funds were allegedly converted into properties, aircraft, investments and other assets held in the names of family members and associates, while Majithia allegedly remained the principal beneficiary.
The Vigilance Bureau has now approached the ED for further investigation into the money laundering aspects of the case.
