Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday morning addressed a press conference in which he briefed the media on the Vigilance Bureau's latest action, i.e., Bikram Singh Majithia's arrest. Speaking about the public sentiment and the ongoing campaign against narcotics, CM Mann emphasized that the people of Punjab are no longer silent; they are grieving, angry, and demanding justice. Punjab Chief Minister also dropped a bombshell revelation, saying that another 'big fish' will be caught soon in a similar case. Below is what Bhagwant Singh Mann said on Bikram Singh Majithia's arrest-
“You must have seen on social media, people are expressing what they truly feel,” said CM Mann, adding, "This is not a celebration, it’s the pain of people who lost their children, who suffered silently. It’s not happiness, it's relief. There’s a sense of justice, that finally, someone responsible has been held accountable."
He added, “What’s painful is that such a situation had to arise in the first place, that an entire gang existed, thriving while Punjab’s youth were being destroyed. And now, the same people who used to claim that only small-time peddlers are caught, and the big fish are never touched, those same voices are now criticizing the arrest. What will they tell Punjab now?”
Mann reiterated the government’s commitment to fight drugs through the ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’ campaign, which he said has now become a full-fledged movement. “From village panchayats to municipal bodies, people across Punjab are passing resolutions to support this mission. No one will be spared, whether it’s an officer or a big political name. This is part of building a new, vibrant Punjab. You cannot build your own empire by destroying others’ homes; those responsible for ruining the youth will not be forgiven."
The Chief Minister further warned that more big revelations are on the way. “People have already declared them drug traffickers. They’ve committed serious crimes and shattered entire families. In the coming days, another big fish involved in the drug-money nexus will be caught. You will hear that news soon.”
Bikram Majithia Case
The Punjab Vigilance Bureau, along with the Special Investigation Team (SIT), has uncovered a massive case of drug money laundering allegedly facilitated by Bikram Singh Majithia. Preliminary investigations indicate illicit enrichment of more than Rs 540 crore. This includes Rs 161 crore of unaccounted cash deposited into the bank accounts of companies controlled by Majithia. Additionally, Rs 141 crore was reportedly funneled through suspected foreign entities. Another Rs 236 crore was deposited in excess without proper disclosure or explanation in the financial statements of related companies.
Investigations by the Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the FIR no. 02 of 2021 registered in Police Station Punjab State Crime and the Vigilance Bureau reveal massive laundering of drug money facilitated by Bikram Singh Majithia. Preliminary investigations reveal that more than Rs. 540 crores of drug money has been laundered through several ways, including
- Huge unaccounted cash worth Rs. 161 crores deposited in bank accounts of companies controlled by Bikram Singh Majithia,
- Channelization of Rs. 141 crores through suspected foreign entities,
- Excess deposition of Rs. 236 crores without disclosure/explanation in company financial statements, and
- Acquisition of movable/immovable assets by Bikram Singh Majithia without any legitimate source of income.