Sukhbir Badal detained on way to Mohali court in support of Bikram Singh Majithia; Punjab minister Aman Arora says ‘Akali Dal has become Khali Dal'
Shiromani Akali Dal
(SAD) president Sukhbir Singh Badal was detained by Mohali Police on Wednesday while attempting to march towards the district court complex in support of party leader
Bikram Singh Majithia
, who is under investigation in a disproportionate assets case.
Badal was stopped and taken into custody outside Gurdwara Sri Amb Sahib in Mohali, along with hundreds of Akali supporters. His detention led to a heated exchange with senior police officials, including SP- and DSP-rank officers.
The detained leaders and supporters were taken to the Phase 11 police station and instructed to remain there until the vigilance bureau completed Majithia's production procedure in court.
Another senior SAD leader, Alwinder Pal Singh Pakhoke, and his associates were taken to the Singh Bhagwantpur police station.
Across the state, several Akali leaders and workers attempting to converge on Mohali in solidarity with Majithia were also detained by local police as a preventive measure to thwart the protest.
Speaking after his detention, Badal said he was on his way to pay obeisance at Gurdwara Sri Amb Sahib when police intercepted him.
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'Today, a devotee is not even allowed to visit a gurdwara. Is this democracy?' he asked. He also launched a scathing attack on Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and AAP national convener
Arvind Kejriwal
, accusing them of misusing state machinery to silence the opposition.
The Shiromani Akali Dal condemned the police action, calling it undemocratic and repressive. Party leaders have vowed to continue their protest against what they termed 'political vendetta' against Majithia.
Meanwhile, Punjab Minister Aman Arora took a dig at the Akali Dal's claims of mass detentions, saying, 'Akali Dal has become 'Khali' Dal; they don't have thousands of workers,' in a post on X (formerly Twitter).
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Indian Express
4 hours ago
- Indian Express
Special court halts further vigilance raids at Majithia's premises
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Time of India
5 hours ago
- Time of India
From Gutka oath to FIRs: Drug debate turns personal in Punjab vidhan sabha as Harpal Singh Cheema, Partap Singh Bajwa exchange barbs
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Time of India
5 hours ago
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Blow to AAP: Court halts vigilance bureau raids on Majithia properties; prior notice required for any such move
Mohali: In a major setback to the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) govt, a Mohali court on Tuesday barred the Punjab vigilance bureau from conducting any further raids on the properties of former minister and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia . The court directed that any future visits to Majithia's premises must be strictly for evaluation purposes and a 24-hour prior notice should be given to his counsel. The development was confirmed by advocate Arshdeep Singh Kler, legal counsel for Majithia, through a video statement released after the court orders. Kler revealed that although the court had permitted the investigation officer (IO) to visit the sites, the officer instead deployed multiple vigilance teams to Delhi, Amritsar, and Majitha. These visits were allegedly publicised to fuel a media trial, prompting immediate legal action, the counsel added. "The court has now clearly restrained the vigilance bureau from conducting any raids on Majithia's properties. Evaluation, if required, can only be done on the basis of items mentioned in the fard jama talashi and only with prior intimation," said Kler. Dismissing rumours regarding Majithia's alleged special treatment and health issues, Kler said: "He spent over five months in Patiala jail without requesting any facility. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Is it legal? How to get Internet without paying a subscription? Techno Mag Learn More Undo The AAP govt is spreading falsehoods to malign his image. Contrary to reports, his blood pressure is normal. If anyone needs to worry about health, it's the chief minister himself." The next hearing in the case is scheduled for July 22 and the court has directed the vigilance bureau to submit complete videographic evidence of the raids already conducted. The ruling is being seen as a significant legal victory for Majithia and a political jolt to the ruling AAP.
