CHANDIGARH: Punjab Police are raiding at least 16 locations across India to trace Bikram Majithia, the brother-in-law of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Badal even as the Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a look out circular (LOC).
Majithia is likely to be arrested if he doesn’t surrender or joins the investigation in Mohali where the case has been registered on behalf of Bureau of Investigation (BOI).
Punjab Police have registered a case under NDPS Act against Majithia.
The LoC was issued on behalf of Punjab ADGP intelligence. This circular is issued to legally stop a person from leaving India, when he is wanted for investigation.
Punjab Police have made a watertight FIR against Majithia, eight years after a wrestler-turned-drug lord Jagdish Bhola had blown a whistle on him.
The FIR, is based on anti-drug special task force (STF) chief Harpreet Singh Sidhu’s report that in its findings said: “As per statements of Maninder Singh Aulakh alias Bittu Aulakh, Bikram Majithia had requested him to help Satpreet Satta (Canadian) for whatever business of drugs (medicine) he wants to do. It is already clear from previous statements and findings of the Enforcement Directorate that the business of drugs that Satta and Parminder Pindi (Canadian) were involved in smuggling of pseudoephedrine and not the legally licensed medicines or pharmaceuticals….This is direct evidence against him.”
“The degree of support and facilitation provided by Majithia and consideration for which such support was provided is to be clarified by further investigation of all parties,” it said.
Besides, the BOI probe also wants to ascertain the allegations of deposit to the tune of Rs 35 lakh in cash from a drug scam-accused Jagjit Singh Chahal to Majithia between 2007 and 2012.
“Therefore, subject (to) whether funds from alleged drug trade were also invested, utilised, held in common with the funds from alleged sand mining business merits a probe,” it said.
“As per findings, prima facie, there is sufficient evidence on record to further investigate the role of Bikram Majithia as regard with applications,” it states.
Sidhu’s findings also call for investigation to examine financial transactions made by persons who are close associates, partners and family members to uncover their assets, investments and business incomes generated from various sources.