Supreme Court Asks Akali Leader Bikram Singh Majithia To Appear Before Punjab Police For Investigation In Drugs Case

The Supreme Court today(March 4) passed an interim order directing Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia to appear before the Punjab Police on March 17 for interrogation in a drugs case.A bench of Justices J.K. Maheshwari and Aravind Kumar was hearing an appeal filed by the Punjab Police against the order of the High Court granting regular bail to Majithia. "The authorities may interrogate on these issues and complete the investigation. He will continue to appear on the date as and when required," the Court ordered.The bench passed an interim order directing Majithia to be present at the police station at 11 am on March 17 at the SIT, Headquarters, Patiala for interrogation.Advocate General of Punjab, Gurminder Singh, had pleaded for the cancellation of bail on grounds that Majithia is not cooperating with the investigation. Singh submitted that certain queries were put to him by way of a written questionnaire, however, he refused to reply. "Our apprehension is only one. I am not on cancellation. But cooperation and investigation is a sine qua non for us. Appear, cooperate and answer," Singh submitted. However, Justice Kumar orally remarked that it cannot be accepted that Majithia will provide answers as and how the Punjab Government wants him to answer. Clarifying that this is not the case, Singh explained: "He says, I will not reply. This is the answer- I have a right not to reply...My problem is when I call him, he says I have got bail and I have got no answer to anything. This is his answer in the affidavit. Please see."Senior Advocate R. Basant, for Majitha, suggested that the Court specify in the order that he is ready to appear for two days. "Your lordship may direct, I will appear for two days. Kindly don't leave it to them because it's being used for political purposes and I am unnecessarily being harassed. If your Lordship wants two days, I will appear. Please don't leave it to them."The matter will be heard on March 24.Case Details: THE STATE OF PUNJAB Vs BIKRAM SINGH MAJITHIA| SLP(Crl) No. 3650/2023

Supreme Court Asks Akali Leader Bikram Singh Majithia To Appear Before Punjab Police For Investigation In Drugs Case

Gursimran Kaur Bakshi

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