Lookout notice against Bikram Singh Majithia; FIR points to sand, drug trade link

Jupinderjit Singh
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, December 22

A day after lodging an FIR against former Akali Dal minister Bikram Singh Majithia in a drugs case, the Punjab Police today got a lookout circular (LOC) issued against him, even as sources close to him said he was unlikely to surrender.

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The circular means Majithia will not be allowed to leave the country. He will be reported if he uses any domestic or international airport or any means of public transport. A source close to Majithia said, “Why should he surrender? He will contest the case. He will soon apply for bail and come clean as he has been falsely implicated.” The FIR against the SAD leader mentions alleged overlapping of sand mining business and illicit drug trade in the state.

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SIT takes over probe

• Set up for further probe, SIT took over charge on Wednesday. Headed by AIG (Crime) Balraj Singh, it has DSP Kulwant Singh & Inspector Rajesh Kumar as members
• Kin under scanner: It is likely to look into financial dealings of Majithia’s relatives, family members, friends and business partners

On trail of drug money

• The FIR mentions alleged overlapping of sand mining and illicit drug trade
• It says alleged drug smugglers were involved in sand mining possibly to cover financial dealings in drug trade
• FIR notes Majithia indulged in sand mining even as he was a minister in SAD government
• The ED had not quizzed Majithia on this aspect, which needs to be probed, it reads

It says the probe against Majithia should also look into financial transactions and assets owned by his relatives, family members, his friends and business partners. Sources said the SIT constituted to further carry out the investigation would look into all aspects mentioned in the FIR. AIG (Crime) Balraj Singh heads the SIT, with DSP Kulwant Singh and Inspector Rajesh Kumar as its members.

The wider ambit of the probe was recommended by anti-drug Special Task Force (STF) chief Harpreet Singh Sidhu in his report.

It has talked about connection between those involved in sand mining and international drug smugglers. It noted that Majithia was involved in sand mining business when he was a minister in the SAD government. A number of alleged drug smugglers were also involved in sand mining possibly to cover their financial dealings in the drug trade.

The FIR says, “It is necessary to examine the link between funds generated from sand mining and funds allegedly received by Majithia, Bittu Aulakh and others from smugglers.”

Quoting the probe by the ED in the money laundering case, the FIR says, “On questioning, Jagjit Singh Chahal claimed Majithia was involved in sand mining along with Bittu Aulakh and Amarpal Ajnala whereas Aulakh claimed Majithia was in partnership with Kanwarjit Singh alias Rozy Barkandi of Muktsar.” The FIR notes that the ED had not questioned Majithia about the sand mining business. “The legality of Majithia allegedly indulging in sand mining business while being a minister from 2007 onwards is a significant issue and needs to be probed,” it reads.

The STF report, as cited in the FIR, says, “The investigation will involve examination of financial transactions of close associates and family members of all those involved in the case to uncover whether their assets were acquired from genuine sources or are linked with the drug money.”

Rejecting the charge, Muktsar MLA Rozy Barkandi said he or Majithia were never involved in sand mining. “The FIR and the status report mentioned our names on hearsay. These are all fabricated lies. Bikram, Ajnala and I have nothing to do with sand or drug trade,” he said. Ajnala could not be contacted.

All lies: Muktsar MLA

Muktsar MLA Rozy Barkandi denied he or Majithia were involved in sand mining. “The names are mentioned on hearsay. These are fabricated lies.”