Sidhu demands Majithia’s arrest, says there is enough evidence in STF report

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There’s no scope for the state government, of which I am a part, not to arrest Majithia. Now when there is strong evidence in the report, we are waiting for action.

NAVJOT SINGH SIDHU, Punjab local bodies minister

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Talking about excerpts of a report submitted in a sealed cover to the HC is contempt of court and a deliberate attempt to interfere in justice delivery system. BIKRAM SINGH MAJITHIA , former Akali minister

CHANDIGARH: Punjab local bodies minister Navjot Singh Sidhu on Friday demanded arrest of former Akali Minister Bikram Singh Majithia, saying there is enough evidence to prove his role in drug trade in the state.

Addressing a press conference here, Sidhu said he has procured the 340-page report prepared by the special task force (STF), which has sufficient evidence to arrest Majithia.

Flashing the report, Sidhu said the STF has named Majithia as a facilitator in drug trade and kingpin in sand mining, while being a cabinet minister in the previous SAD-BJP government.

“There’s no scope for the state government, of which I am a part, not to arrest Majithia,” he said, while reading excerpts from the report. He was also accompanied by his wife Navjot Kaur Sidhu, a former MLA.

He added that he procured the report from his sources, but refused to share copies of the report with mediapersons or even allow them to read it.

ASKS CM TO TAKE ACTION

Sidhu said in the recent past he had requested Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh at least 15 times to arrest Majithia. “Our party MLAs also met the CM with the same demand. The CM used to say let there be concrete evidence against Majithia. And now when there is strong evidence in the report, we are waiting for action.”

The state government had appointed a two-member panel to examine and suggest action on the report prepared by additional director general of police (ADGP) Harpreet Singh Sidhu, who heads the STF formed to look into the drug-related cases.

ON MAJITHIA’S ROLE

Reading excerpts from the said report, Sidhu said the role of Majithia in drug trade was clear as he used to act as facilitator for drug smugglers Jagjit Singh Chahal, Maninder Aulakh alias Bittu Aulakh, Parminder Singh Pindi and Satta. He also used to resolve the issues rising among them. Satta and Pindi are NRIs who live in Canada while Chahal and Aulakh are in jail after they were arrested in connection with drug cases.

The STF report is based on questioning of Chahal and Aulakh by the enforcement directorate.

“The report has also mentioned that Majithia was the kingpin in sand mining and it needs to be investigated whether money raised from mining was routed in drug trade,” said Sidhu.

‘KEJRIWAL BACKSTABS PEOPLE OF PUNJAB’

Reacting to Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal’s apology to Majithia for having levelled drug charges against him in the past, Sidhu said Kejriwal had backstabbed the people of Punjab. “He had murdered the Punjab unit of AAP. The people who backed his charges would never forgive him. Out of fear of attending court proceedings, he has surrendered,” he added.