Punjab and Haryana High Court extends interim anticipatory bail of Bikram Majithia; asks him to join probe when required

Tribune News Service

Saurabh Malik
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, January 17

The Punjab and Haryana High Court directed senior Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia on Tuesday to continue to join the investigation as and when required in a drug case while making it clear that interim anticipatory bail granted to him would automatically stand vacated if arguments in the matter were not addressed on the next date of hearing. Punjab, meanwhile, told the court that Majithia had not extended full cooperation during the investigation.

The case would now come up for “final arguments” on January 24. Majithia’s interim anticipatory bail would, at least, continue till then. The direction on joining investigation by Justice Lisa Gill came after advocate Arshdeep Singh Cheema on Majithia’s behalf requested for an adjournment after submitting that senior advocate RS Cheema had contracted Covid-19. Representing the State of Punjab, senior advocate P. Chidambaram did not oppose the adjournment request while submitting that the petitioner had joined the investigation but not extended full cooperation.

Justice Gill asserted the court was not inclined to adjourn the matter. But keeping in view the circumstance and with the consent of counsel for the parties, the matter was being adjourned. “Needless to say, the petitioner shall, in the meantime, continue to join the investigation as and when required and in terms of conditions contained in the order dated January 10 and extend full cooperation to the investigating agency.

Among other things, Majithia was asked to keep his mobile phone constantly on and share with the investigating agency his live location through WhatsApp. He was also directed to fully cooperate in the investigation and abide by the conditions, including an appearance before the investigating agency as and when required.

He was further directed not to leave the country till the next date of hearing and provide his mobile number to the investigating agency. He was also asked not to directly or indirectly try contacting any of the witnesses or anyone connected with the case in any manner.

Majithia was apprehending arrest after a case under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act was registered at Mohali on December 20, last year. He moved the high court after a Mohali court dismissed his anticipatory bail petition. The case had attained political proportions, with Majithia claiming that the registration of the FIR was vitiated by political and ulterior motives.

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