The ongoing investigation into the disproportionate assets and alleged drug-money laundering case involving senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia has gained new momentum, as two key former officers—retired Punjab DGP Sidharth Chattopadhyaya and former ED Deputy Director Niranjan Singh—appeared at the Vigilance Bureau (VB) headquarters on Friday to share critical information.
Niranjan Singh, who previously led the Enforcement Directorate’s probe into Majithia’s alleged involvement in a ₹540 crore drug-money laundering racket, arrived shortly after Chattopadhyaya’s visit. Though Singh refrained from speaking to the media, official sources confirmed that he has come forward to assist the VB with evidence he had collected during the earlier investigations.
Notably, Singh had earlier alleged that he was subjected to immense pressure from senior officials to go slow in the probe against Majithia. The case had long been marred by delays and inaction, widely believed to be the result of political interference during the previous regime.
Meanwhile, Chattopadhyaya, who was the Punjab DGP during a crucial phase of the investigation, reportedly presented documentation and testimonies exposing the suppression of leads and destruction of potential evidence. His brief tenure saw the initiation of a 2021 FIR under the NDPS Act based on findings by a Special Task Force and an ED status report.
Majithia, currently in seven-day Vigilance Bureau custody following his arrest from Amritsar on Wednesday, is facing charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly amassing wealth beyond his known sources of income during his tenure as a cabinet minister in 2009. According to the VB, he is also accused of laundering ₹540 crore in drug money through complex financial networks involving domestic firms and foreign shell entities.
The latest developments mark a significant turning point in the long-dormant case, which had been effectively stalled for years due to alleged political shielding. With former top officials now actively supporting the investigation, the VB’s efforts appear to be gaining fresh credibility.
Sources indicate that additional arrests and asset seizures may follow as investigators expand the scope of the probe. The Aam Aadmi Party-led state government has reiterated its commitment to ensuring that those involved in drug trafficking and illicit wealth accumulation, regardless of political standing, are brought to justice.
As the probe unfolds, it not only revives public focus on Punjab’s drug crisis but also raises broader questions about institutional accountability and the extent of political influence that has historically shielded high-profile individuals from prosecution.
