Mohali court rejects anticipatory bail plea of Majithia in drugs case

The bench also said that the FIR has been registered on the basis of report which prima facie shows the “involvement” of the applicant in the drug trade and harbouring of accused involved in drug mafia

A Mohali court on Friday rejected the anticipatory bail plea of Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia who has been booked in connection with a drugs case.

Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia speaks during a press conference in Amritsar on November 23. (AFP)

During the hearing, special judge Sandeep Kumar Singla — while dealing with the allegations of political antagonism — observed that a delay in lodging the criminal case cannot be grounds to presume that the whole case against the applicant is false

The bench also said that the FIR has been registered on the basis of report which prima facie shows the “involvement” of the applicant in the drug trade and harbouring of accused involved in drug mafia. “All these facts and financial transactions and extend of complicity of the applicant needs to be thoroughly investigated which can be done only under custodial interrogation of the applicant,” the court said, adding that the question on legality of the criminal case, whether it is borne out of political vendetta or not, cannot be a ground for grant of anticipatory bail.

In his application, Majithia said the current dispensation had left no stone unturned to “misuse its powers and position for wreaking vengeance” upon political opponents and that his arrest was an “election stunt”.