The Supreme Court granted SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who is charged of drug trafficking, protection from arrest until February 23. This allows him to contest elections and carry on with campaigning. Assembly elections in Punjab are scheduled for February 20.
Majithia was ordered to appear before the concerned trial court on February 23 and seek for regular bail by a bench comprising of Chief Justice of India Nuthalapati Venkata Ramana, Justices AS Bopanna and Hima Kohli.
Majithia’s counsel M Rohatgi, meanwhile, mentioned that following six years of thorough probes, nothing was found against the SAD leader.
Meanwhile, P Chidambaram, the Punjab government’s lawyer, stated, “Punjab is currently immersed in the narcotics trade. Unless we (the Punjab government) send a message (by arresting Majithia for interrogation) and take strong action, Punjab’s future is doomed.”
The Supreme Court ordered Chidambaram to inform the Congress administration of Charanjit Singh Channi that its pre-election activities should not be seen as vindictive.
The Court stated that it is not requesting that the government hold its hands and not regulate drug cartels, but rather that the elections be held on February 20. The Bench, however, said Majithia will get protection from arrest till February 23 and thereafter he will surrender.
“Today, there was another mention of Simarjit Singh Bains’ anticipatory bail, where a complaint has been filed against him. That case will be heard the next day. Unfortunately, these criminal instances are suddenly coming to light just before elections…, “According to the Bench.
“We live in a democracy; at the very least, enable them to file nominations,” it continued.
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