Former Punjab Minister Bikram Singh Majithia Released from Nabha Jail After Supreme Court Bail
In a significant development in Punjab politics, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) functionary and former state minister Bikram Singh Majithia walked out of New Nabha Jail in Patiala on Tuesday afternoon. This came just a day after the Supreme Court granted him bail in a high-profile disproportionate assets (DA) case that involves allegations of money laundering amounting to Rs 540 crore.
Emotional Welcome and Political Defiance
Majithia, who had been arrested by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau (VB) on June 25, 2025, emerged from the prison gates at 2:15 PM. He was clad in a traditional kurta-pyjama with a half-sleeved jacket and was immediately greeted by a large gathering of SAD workers and supporters. These supporters had been camping outside the jail since Tuesday morning, eagerly awaiting his release.
The atmosphere was charged with emotion as drumbeats and slogans of "Majhe de Jarnail" filled the air. In a display of characteristic defiance, Majithia twirled his moustache and declared, "Tell them (AAP leadership), tiger abhi zinda hai." This statement underscored his resilience and political fighting spirit.
He was received by his wife, Ganieve Kaur Majithia, who is also the SAD MLA from Majitha. She brought a fresh kurta-pyjama for him, symbolizing a return to normalcy. Following this, Majithia climbed onto an open SUV as part of a celebratory procession and headed towards Gurdwara Dukhniwaran Sahib in Patiala for prayers.
Supreme Court's Bail Order and Case Details
The Supreme Court granted bail to Majithia on Monday, citing two key factors:
- He had already spent seven months in custody.
- The investigation's chargesheet had been filed, indicating progress in the legal proceedings.
The DA case pertains to a "check period" between 2007 and 2017, during which Majithia is alleged to have accumulated wealth beyond his known sources of income. Interestingly, the FIR was registered only in June 2025, a point noted by the court. The Vigilance Bureau has claimed that the funds were routed through foreign entities in Singapore and Cyprus.
On the day bail was granted, Dera Beas head Gurinder Singh Dhillon met Majithia inside Nabha jail, highlighting the political and social connections involved.
Allegations of Political Vendetta and Human Rights Violations
Majithia has consistently maintained that the charges against him are a "concocted conspiracy" by the AAP-led government to silence political opposition. At a media interaction after his release, he elaborated on this, accusing the state government of multiple overreaches.
He revealed that the government had sought several restrictions against him, including:
- A bar on entering Punjab except for court hearings.
- The imposition of a "social media gag" to prevent him from making public statements.
Majithia stated, "But the court dismissed these requests, upholding my constitutional right to free speech and noting that as a permanent resident of Punjab, I could not be barred from my home state." He added sarcastically, "VB also wanted that I should not twirl my moustache, but that is not possible."
He further alleged severe violations of his privacy and human rights inside the prison, claiming that 32 cameras were installed to monitor him and that even his counsel and family members were not allowed to meet him regularly. "Truth has triumphed, and the end of oppression has begun. Majithia na rukuga, na jhukuga (Majithia will neither stop nor bow)," he asserted.
Political Attacks and Calls for Action
Majithia did not hold back in his criticism of the AAP government. He accused it of using state machinery for personal vendettas and urged people to "chase the party out of Punjab." In a pointed remark, he said, "I managed to survive on brinjal curry, but how will you manage when it comes to your (Bhagwant Mann's) turn?"
He alleged repeated attempts by the government to break him mentally and issued a warning: "I warn Bhagwant Mann that I will maintain a zero-compromise, zero-tolerance policy against you." Majithia also slammed the government's alleged efforts to stop his supporters from reaching Nabha jail to welcome him.
Gratitude to Supporters and Rivals Alike
In a gesture of political camaraderie, Majithia thanked not only his wife and party workers but also his brother-in-law and SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal, and his MP sister Harsimrat Kaur Badal. Notably, he expressed gratitude to long-time rivals from other parties who spoke in his support, including:
- Congress-turned-BJP leaders: Capt Amarinder Singh, Sunil Jakhar, and Ravneet Bittu.
- Congress leaders: Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Partap Singh Bajwa, Bharat Bhushan Ashu, and Charanjit Singh Channi.
This cross-party support underscores the complex political dynamics in Punjab and the widespread attention this case has garnered.
The release of Bikram Singh Majithia marks a pivotal moment in Punjab's political landscape, setting the stage for intensified confrontations as he vows to continue his fight against the ruling dispensation. The disproportionate assets case remains ongoing, with future court hearings likely to keep it in the spotlight.
