Bikram Singh Majithia's bail petition dismissed by Punjab and Haryana High Court

Chandigarh, January 24

Just about a fortnight after senior Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia was granted interim anticipatory bail in a drugs-related case, the Punjab and Haryana High Court today dismissed his plea. The setback for Majithia comes a day before the filing of nominations is scheduled to begin for the Punjab Assembly elections.

The order was passed by Justice Lisa Gill after hearing rival contentions during the final arguments on his bail plea this afternoon. The detailed order was yet to be uploaded on the High Court’s official website. The case status on the website said “dismissed”. His counsel, during the course of hearing, asked for a week’s time for Majithia to surrender. Justice Gill said the court would consider the request. Majithia was earlier granted interim anticipatory bail and directed to join the investigation.

The Punjab Government’s stand before Justice Gill’s Bench, on the previous date of hearing, was that Majithia had not extended full cooperation during the investigation. Majithia now has the option to move the Supreme Court following the dismissal of his plea. Else, he can surrender before the police or the court.

Among other things, Majithia was — at the time of being granted interim anticipatory bail—asked to keep his mobile phone constantly on and share with the investigation agency his live location through WhatsApp. He was also directed to fully cooperate in the investigation and abide by the conditions, including appearance before the investigation agency as and when required.

Majithia was apprehending arrest after a case under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act was registered at Mohali on December 20 last year. He moved the High Court after a Mohali court dismissed his anticipatory bail petition. Majithia had claimed that the registration of the FIR was the result of political and ulterior motives.

The Bench was also told that the petitioner had no criminal record. He was a “mainstream politician” and undertook to join investigation, fully cooperate with the investigation agency and abide by any conditions imposed by the court.

Counsel seeks week’s time to surrender

• Bikram Majithia’s counsel asked the court for a week’s time to surrender
• Justice Lisa Gill said the court would consider the request
• On Dec 20 last year, a case was filed against Majithia under the NDPS Act in Mohali