Bikram Majithia Raid: Punjab Politics on the Boil After Vigilance Crackdown
In a move that has ignited fierce political drama in Punjab, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau conducted a high-intensity raid on the residence of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) senior leader and former minister Bikram Singh Majithia. The raid took place early Wednesday morning in Amritsar and was led by AIG Swarnadeep Singh, who recently returned to duty after suspension.
The operation wasn’t a small-scale inquiry — it involved 30 officers storming the premises and seizing a large cache of digital and handwritten material.
What Was Seized During the Raid?
According to official sources, the vigilance team confiscated:
29 mobile phones
4 laptops
2 iPads
8 personal diaries
Multiple sensitive documents and files
The scale of the raid, covering not just Majithia’s residence but 24 other locations across Punjab, suggests a deepening investigation tied to older allegations, possibly with financial and narcotic connections.
“No Notice, No Permission”: Majithia’s Family Cries Foul
In an emotionally charged response, Ganeev Kaur, Majithia’s wife, condemned the raid. Speaking to the media, she said,
- “Thirty officers entered our house without any prior notice. We were not informed about any search warrant. What kind of democracy is this?”
Majithia himself released a video statement shortly after the raid, claiming that his children were traumatized and that the officers behaved as if they were on a mission of political revenge.
“This is not an investigation. This is intimidation,” he said.
SAD Leaders Rally Behind Majithia
News of the raid quickly spread across social media, drawing an immediate response from Akali Dal workers and leaders. Crowds gathered at Majithia’s home to protest what they called a “dictatorial move” by the AAP-led Bhagwant Mann government.
Former Union Minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal also weighed in, calling the raid an attempt to suppress opposition voices.
“This is not just about Bikram. It’s about silencing Punjab’s democratic dissent,” she said.
Connection to Previous NDPS Allegations
Majithia is no stranger to controversy. In December 2021, during the Congress government’s tenure, he was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The case has remained a sensitive political issue in Punjab.
Earlier in March 2025, a Special Investigation Team (SIT) claimed to have uncovered suspicious foreign financial transactions linked to firms associated with Majithia and his family. The current vigilance operation is believed to be an extension of that probe, possibly uncovering new leads.
AIG Swarnadeep Singh: The Man Behind the Raid
The operation was spearheaded by AIG Swarnadeep Singh, a seasoned officer recently reinstated to duty. His leadership in this high-profile case marks a bold return, signaling a new push in anti-corruption and financial crime investigations in Punjab.
His role has become crucial, especially as the flying squad from Vigilance Mohali simultaneously conducted raids in multiple cities, tightening the net around suspected financial irregularities.
Political Vendetta or Lawful Investigation?
The debate continues to rage: is this law catching up with corruption, or is it a targeted political move against a powerful opposition figure?
Critics of the government argue that the AAP is using state machinery to dismantle political adversaries. Supporters of the action insist that no one is above the law, and that if Majithia has nothing to hide, the investigation will prove his innocence.
