Majithia custody extended; Rs 200 Cr Benami assets unearthed in raids
Majithia was produced before a Mohali court today following the expiry of his earlier remand in a disproportionate assets case.
Meanwhile, a joint SIT and Vigilance team carried out raids at multiple locations linked to Majithia in Delhi and Chandigarh, including a farmhouse in Delhi's Sainik Farms, allegedly a benami property valued at Rs150–200 crore. Technical teams collected digital evidence during the search.
Officials said shell companies tied to Majithia and his family are under scrutiny for alleged laundering of drug money. The crackdown is reportedly based on witness statements.
In anticipation of protests by Akali Dal workers, security was tightened around the court complex. Several leaders, including Mohali district SAD chief Parvinder Singh Sohana, were detained as a precaution.
Majithia was arrested by the Vigilance Bureau on June 26 and has been lodged in New Nabha jail since July 6. Earlier raids were also conducted at his residences in Amritsar and Majitha.
UNI NB AAB
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
20 minutes ago
- News18
Mass Graves, Missing Women: What Karnataka's SIT On Dharmasthala Shocker Will Look Into
The team is expected to examine every missing person's case from the region to determine if it is connected to the string of crimes alleged by a former sanitation worker After weeks of pressure on the Siddaramaiah-led Karnataka government to hand over the investigation into the horrific allegations of mass graves, disappearances, and crimes against women in Dharmasthala by a whistleblower, the newly formed Special Investigation Team (SIT) has its hands full. The Karnataka government has constituted an SIT headed by Director General of Police (Internal Security Division and Cyber Command) Pronab Mohanty and the team has been tasked with probing the alleged series of murders and mass burials in and around Dharmasthala—a prominent temple town in Dakshina Kannada district. The SIT includes a highly qualified team working with Mohanty, including Deputy Inspector General of Police (Recruitment) MN Anucheth, Deputy Commissioner of Police (City Armed Reserve) Soumyalatha, and Superintendent of Police (Internal Security Division) Jitendra Kumar Dayama. What is the SIT expected to do? It is not only expected to uncover the truth and deliver justice to the victims and their families, but also to examine every missing person's case from the region to determine if it is connected to the string of crimes alleged by a former sanitation worker. The SIT was formed following explosive revelations by a former sanitation worker, who testified under Section 164 of the CrPC that he buried the bodies of women and minors around the Dharmasthala temple during his tenure between 1994 and 2014, sparking outrage and widespread calls for an independent SIT probe. The whistleblower, who has sought anonymity citing threats to his life, claims to have buried hundreds of bodies over nearly two decades. As part of the investigation, the Dakshina Kannada police, who were conducting the preliminary probe, had sought court permission to conduct brain mapping, fingerprinting, and narco-analysis of the complainant. The Investigation Officer (IO) in the case was empowered to decide when to exhume bodies. Now, all this analysis and probe will be overseen by the SIT. A senior officer explained to News18 that the process of investigation—especially the exhumation—will be done with extreme sensitivity, ensuring that evidence is preserved and there are no procedural lapses. The government has directed that all present and future cases linked to Dharmasthala—registered at various police stations across Karnataka—be transferred to the SIT. The DGP and IGP have been tasked with ensuring that the SIT receives the required support and resources. The team has been asked to operate out of the Dakshina Kannada District Police Office and submit regular progress reports. 'The SIT has been directed to carry out a comprehensive and impartial investigation, with a final report to be submitted to the state government at the earliest," the government order stated. Activists and lawyers had long demanded an SIT, citing past failures in similar high-profile probes related to the temple town. Following the recent recovery of human remains by police, a preliminary investigation was conducted by district officials. Based on their report, chief minister Siddaramaiah ordered a full-fledged SIT probe. The team will now carry out forensic analysis and initiate legal procedures for exhuming bodies from locations identified by the whistleblower. The investigation would need to look into the whistleblower's claims that the alleged rapes and murders took place over close to two decades. Despite pressure from various quarters—including delegations headed by Justice Gopal Gowda, former Backward Classes Commission chairman and advocate CS Dwarakanath, as well as State Women's Commission chairperson Nagalakshmi Choudhary approaching the CM to form an SIT at the earliest—the government had initially resisted the move, saying they would wait for the local police to conduct their preliminary investigation and recommend whether an SIT was needed. However, the delay in setting up the SIT drew criticism from several quarters. The whistleblower has claimed that individuals involved in these crimes were connected to the temple administration. Dharmasthala is one of Karnataka's major pilgrimage centres, attracting devotees from across the country. The whistleblower's identity and his testimony are central to the case. Police are keen on continuing to question him and gather further information under anonymity. The police are reportedly coordinating with advocates representing the whistleblower to ensure his full protection and cooperation. His legal team has expressed concerns that without robust protection, there is a risk to his life and the integrity of the investigation. However, there are fears that he may go incommunicado once the exhumation process begins. A challenge for the SIT is also the fact that lawyers representing the whistleblower submitted a memorandum to Siddaramaiah, alleging police collusion, information leaks, and intimidation aimed at derailing the probe. They said they believe there has been a long-standing nexus within the police to silence evidence of these crimes. The Start The issue first came to light on July 3, when the sanitation worker filed a complaint through his legal team with the Dharmasthala police. He alleged that during his employment from 1995 to December 2014, he was forced to bury the bodies of multiple people, including rape and murder victims. A case was registered by Dharmasthala police the following day under Section 211(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, after receiving court approval. On July 11, the whistleblower produced skeletal remains—said to have been exhumed by him—before the Principal Civil Judge and JMFC in Belthangady, and recorded a formal statement. In a detailed complaint to the Dakshina Kannada Police Commissioner, the whistleblower alleged he was threatened with death and forced to dispose of hundreds of bodies over nearly 20 years. He accused individuals linked to the Dharmasthala administration of being involved in the cover-up. Dakshina Kannada police registered an FIR (Crime No. 39/2025) under Section 211(a) of the BNS after court approval. K Parshwanath Jain, spokesperson for Sri Kshetra Dharmasthala, reacted to the SIT formation with a statement. 'Truth and belief are the strongest foundation for a society's ethics and faith. Therefore, it is our sincere hope and earnest demand that the SIT conducts the highest level of investigation in this case and brings out the true facts to light," he said. A member of the complainant's legal team has also urged the Kerala government to pass a resolution in its assembly, demanding a high-standard probe and for the Kerala Police to be included in the investigation. They also plan to move the Supreme Court on the matter. The Karnataka government's SIT formation order also noted the 2003 disappearance of a medical student and the recent discovery of a human skull. The State Commission for Women had earlier urged Siddaramaiah to form an SIT led by senior officers to investigate 'cases of missing women, female students, unnatural deaths, murders, and sexual assaults reported from the Dharmasthala area over the last two decades". On July 18, Siddaramaiah said the government was not opposed to forming an SIT, but would wait for the initial police report. 'We are not for or against it. We will follow the law. If an SIT is required, we will form it. But let the police submit their report first," he told reporters in Mysuru when asked about retired Justice V Gopal Gowda's demand for an SIT. Earlier this week, the complainant handed over more skeletal remains to the police. He reiterated his claim that during his years with the Dharmasthala temple administration, he had been ordered by his superiors to dispose of the bodies of women and children. In a letter dated July 14, the State Women's Commission cited media reports from July 12 that included a court deposition by a daily-wage worker who claimed to have buried over 100 bodies, and a statement by a family who said their daughter had gone missing from the temple premises. Based on the whistleblower's statement, police are preparing to exhume remains from areas near the Nethravathi River. top videos View all The sanitation worker's claims are not the first time Dharmasthala has come under scrutiny over serious allegations of violence, sexual assault, murder, and cover-ups. In 2012, the rape and murder of 17-year-old Sowjanya, a student from the town, had triggered national outrage. Linked to this, a Bengaluru woman named Sujatha Bhat also filed a formal complaint before the Dakshina Kannada SP. She alleged her daughter, Ananya Bhat, went missing from the Dharmasthala temple in 2003. Sujatha claimed locals told her they had seen temple staff taking away a girl matching her daughter's description. When she confronted temple authorities, she said she was assaulted, struck on the head, and left in a coma. Out of fear for her life, she said, she remained silent for years. About the Author Apoorva Misra Apoorva Misra is News Editor at with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. More Get breaking news, in-depth analysis, and expert perspectives on everything from politics to crime and society. Stay informed with the latest India news only on News18. Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : BJP congress Dharmasthala Siddaramaiah Special Investigation Team view comments Location : Bengaluru, India, India First Published: July 21, 2025, 12:49 IST News india Mass Graves, Missing Women: What Karnataka's SIT On Dharmasthala Shocker Will Look Into Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
United News of India
39 minutes ago
- United News of India
Youth demand jobs, not speeches: Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi, July 20 (UNI) Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi today slammed the NDA government in Bihar, accusing it of plunging the state into a deep employment crisis and forcing the youth to migrate to other parts of the country in search of livelihood. Pointing towards the "success" of Mega Job Fair 2025' organised by the Indian Youth Congress in Patna yesterday, the former Congress president, in a post on X, said, 'This is not just a crowd—it's a clear message: the youth of Bihar no longer want speeches; they want a future built on employment.' Targeting the BJP and the Nitish Kumar-led state government, Gandhi accused them of plunging Bihar into a deep employment crisis. 'The BJP and Nitish government have thrown Bihar into the fire of unemployment, forcing millions of youth to migrate in search of livelihood leaving behind their villages, their families… everything,' he said. Praising the "talent and resilience" of Bihar's young generation, Gandhi said, 'The youth of Bihar are hardworking, capable, and talented all they need is local and dignified employment.' He emphasised that the Congress party, along with the INDIA Bloc, is committed to delivering on that promise. 'The change has now begun. Congress and the INDIA alliance have come not with mere promises, but with real solutions,' Gandhi claimed. He said, "Our focus is clear: rightful opportunities, generating employment, curbing migration, and reuniting families torn apart by economic desperation." 'This is the path toward a prosperous Bihar,' Rahul added. The 'Mega Job Fair 2025' organised by the IYC saw a strong turnout from both job seekers and employers. About 190 companies, including Tata Alliance, Flipkart, Zepto, Voltas, Tech Mahindra, Paytm, Aditya Birla, Hitachi, and UrbanClap, participated in the fair, and more than 48,000 youth from across Bihar are reported to have visited the fair. UNI RBE ARN
United News of India
43 minutes ago
- United News of India
Mayawati demands transparent debate on Operation Sindoor during Monsoon Session
Lucknow, July 21 (UNI) : Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) chief Mayawati has called for a productive Monsoon Session of Parliament, urging lawmakers to avoid disruptions and focus on meaningful dialogue. She specifically demanded a transparent discussion on 'Operation Sindoor' in the wake of the tragic Pahalgam massacre. Former UP CM took to social media platform `X' and wrote, "As the much-anticipated Monsoon Session of Parliament begins today, citizens across the country are country are hopeful that it will mark a shift from the frequent disruptions and lack of constructive debate seen in previous sessions. There is growing public concern that once again, crucial national and public interest issues—such as inflation, unemployment, poverty, women's safety, and rising internal tensions over language and regional identity—may be sidelined amid political confrontation, allegations, and chaos". Mayawati pointed out that the country is currently grappling with multiple serious challenges, both internal and external. From economic distress and social unrest to concerns over national security, especially at the borders, people are expecting Parliament to function responsibly and effectively. She emphasized the need for debates that result in concrete policies aimed at inclusive development and upliftment of the country's poor and hardworking Bahujan population. "The rapidly evolving global political and economic landscape presents new challenges to democracies worldwide, including India. In such circumstances, the responsibility for safeguarding national sovereignty and democratic values cannot rest solely with the government," Mayawati said. She said that effective parliamentary functioning becomes even more crucial as people want their leaders( ruling and opposition) to rise above partisan politics and work together in the interest of the nation. "In this context, there is also a call for a transparent discussion on 'Operation Sindoor' in light of the tragic Pahalgam massacre. Ensuring the safety and security of citizens and the nation's borders is a shared responsibility, and Parliament is the right forum for a cooperative approach between the government and the opposition. As the session unfolds, the public hopes for a shift toward accountability, cooperation, and a renewed commitment to addressing the pressing issues of the day, she wrote. UNI XC-MBD AAB
