Thu Jun 26 19:25:51 UTC 2025: **Summary:**

Former Punjab Minister and senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia has been arrested for allegedly laundering over ₹540 crore in drug money. He was sent to a seven-day vigilance remand. Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann stated that the focus of the anti-drug crackdown is shifting to “big players” and that the arrest exposed a political nexus shielding drug traffickers. He also said more figures will face action, and properties will be seized. The Shiromani Akali Dal accused the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) of political vendetta and diverting attention from their failed anti-drug campaign.

**News Article:**

**Ex-Punjab Minister Majithia Arrested in Massive Drug Money Laundering Case**

**Mohali, Punjab – June 27, 2025** – Bikram Singh Majithia, former Punjab Minister and senior leader of the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), has been arrested and remanded to seven days of vigilance custody in connection with an alleged drug money laundering scheme worth over ₹540 crore. The arrest, made by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Wednesday, has ignited a political firestorm, with accusations of vendetta and cover-ups flying between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the opposition SAD.

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has declared that the state’s anti-drug efforts are now targeting the “big players” in the narcotics trade. He alleges the arrest has exposed a deep-rooted political nexus protecting drug traffickers, stating that further arrests and property seizures are imminent.

“The arrest has exposed an unholy alliance among traditional political parties on the drug issue, a nexus that has ruined Punjab,” Mann told reporters. “More prominent figures will soon face action. Their properties will be seized or demolished.”

In response, the Shiromani Akali Dal has accused the AAP-led government of orchestrating a “political vendetta” to distract from their own shortcomings in combating drug trafficking. The SAD claims the disproportionate assets case against Majithia was filed without a proper investigation.

Majithia was produced before a court in Mohali, which ordered his remand. He is scheduled to appear again on July 2nd. The case promises to have significant implications for Punjab politics and the state’s ongoing battle against drug-related crime.

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