The Supreme Court of India delivered a significant ruling on Monday, granting bail to prominent Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia in a high-profile disproportionate assets case. The bench, comprising Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sandeep Mehta, observed that Majithia has already spent seven months in judicial custody and that a comprehensive charge sheet has been filed in the matter.
Legal Proceedings and Court Observations
Majithia, a former minister and one of the most vocal critics of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, was arrested by the state vigilance bureau on June 25, 2025. His legal journey saw him challenging the December 4, 2025, order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which had categorically refused him bail.
The high court had classified the case as involving "serious economic offences" and expressed concerns about potential interference, stating that "Majithia is one of the prominent political figures of the state" and that "in case he is released at this stage, the possibility of his influencing the investigation or manipulating records cannot be ruled out."
Supreme Court's Rationale and Conditions
While granting relief, the Supreme Court bench noted that the prosecution retains the right to approach the trial court to impose stringent conditions on Majithia upon his release. However, the court declined to impose specific travel restrictions as requested by senior advocate Siddharth Dave, representing the state, clarifying that the trial court maintains authority over such matters.
The apex court also referenced Majithia's previous legal history, noting that he was granted bail in August 2022 by the high court in a December 2021 NDPS Act case. The special leave petition (SLP) filed by Punjab to challenge that bail was subsequently dismissed by the Supreme Court in April of last year.
Case Background and Investigation Details
The disproportionate assets case against Majithia alleges his involvement in facilitating the "laundering" of approximately Rs 540 crore in "drug money." This case emerged from the investigation into the original drugs case, with a June 7, 2025, report from a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing the 2021 matter forming the basis for the fresh FIR regarding disproportionate assets.
The vigilance bureau had filed an extensive 40,000-page charge sheet against Majithia before a Mohali court on August 22, 2025. In his bail plea before the high court, Majithia's counsel argued that since the charge sheet had been filed, further custody was unnecessary. While rejecting that plea on December 4, 2025, the high court had directed the vigilance bureau to complete the probe within three months, observing that Majithia could seek bail after that period.
Legal Counsel and Political Reactions
Following the Supreme Court decision, Majithia's lawyer, Yoginder Handoo, addressed the media in Delhi, stating, "The Supreme Court granted bail after considering that he was already granted bail in the NDPS case and that the check period for the DA case was from 2007 to 2017. Given he has been inside for almost seven months, the court thought it fit to grant relief." Regarding bail conditions, Handoo added, "The specific conditions must be imposed by the trial court," and indicated that Majithia would be released "in due course" once formalities are completed.
Another counsel, Damanbir Singh Sobti, described the ruling as a "big relief," asserting, "We argued the case was politically motivated and registered out of political vendetta by the Punjab government. Those arguments were heard, and bail was granted."
The Shiromani Akali Dal welcomed the decision with a statement declaring, "The truth has won, and the political vendetta unleashed by the AAP and chief minister Bhagwant Mann has been exposed." Senior SAD leaders Daljit Singh Cheema and Arshdeep Singh Kler alleged in a joint statement that the AAP government concocted the DA case after failing to sustain the narcotics case in the apex court.
Meanwhile, AAP leader and Punjab finance minister Harpal Singh Cheema downplayed the development, remarking, "Granting of bail does not mean someone goes scot-free. He will still face trial. We will examine the order legally and may consider a review petition. There will be a trial, and for sure, there will be a conviction."
The legal and political implications of this ruling continue to unfold as Majithia prepares for release and the trial proceedings move forward in the Mohali court.
