'Majithia involved in drugs': AAP cites smugglers

Jupinderjit Singh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 30

Three smugglers have accused Punjab Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majitihia of being involved in smuggling drugs in the state in their statements made before the Enforcement Directorate, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national spokesman Ashish Khetan claimed on Wednesday.

Ashish Khetan claimed in a press conference he held that Majithia’s “drug cartel” operated from the minister’s house in Amritsar and began its operations in 2007 as soon as the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) came back to power in the state.

The smugglers — Jagdish Bhola, Maninderjit Aulakh and Jagjit Chahal — have claimed that Majithia had allowed them to use his official vehicle and  gunmen for drug smuggling, Khetan said.

Chahal said three Canadians — Satinder Satta, Parminder Pindi and one other person — were also involved, said sources.

Ashish Khetan also claimed Majithia acted as a mediator for disputes that arose among the smugglers.

“All the suspects had made similar statements to Punjab Police but Majithia's name was not recorded,” Khetan claimed.

AAP’s Sanjay Singh, who is in charge of the party’s affairs in the state, accused Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee president Capt Amarinder Singh for “shielding” Majithia by not supporting AAP's demand for an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation.

AAP said they were also considering approaching the Supreme Court.