Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Punjab Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday accused senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia of amassing ₹736.96 crore through alleged financial transactions linked to a network of companies, claiming that Punjab’s youth and thousands of families suffered immensely during the spread of chitta under the SAD-BJP government from 2007 to 2017.
Addressing a press conference, Cheema referred to the 40,000-page chargesheet filed by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau against Majithia, stating that the investigation had uncovered financial transactions worth ₹736.96 crore. He said the findings raised serious questions about the source of funds, the movement of money between companies and the financial structures allegedly used to route the transactions.
Cheema said FIR No. 22 was registered on June 25, 2025, by the Flying Squad of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau in Mohali under Sections 13(1)(e) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. The investigation covers the period from March 2, 2007, to March 31, 2017, he added.
According to Cheema, the supplementary chargesheet details transactions involving several companies, including Saraya Industries Private Limited, Peregrine Saraya Organics Private Limited, S.D. Beverages Private Limited, A2Z Transport/Patiala Express, A.D. Enterprises, Harpreet Gulati HUF (United Wines), Akash Enterprises, UW Enterprises Private Limited, A.D. Enterprises Private Limited and Akash Spirit Private Limited.
₹736.96 crore in transactions under investigation
Detailing the financial findings cited in the chargesheet, Cheema said the investigation had identified ₹170.39 crore in excess cash deposits in Saraya Industries’ bank accounts, ₹176.56 crore in alleged undue benefits received by the company from foreign entities and ₹127.90 crore in surplus funds.
He further cited ₹16.68 crore in alleged undue benefits linked to Nawanshahr Power Private Limited, ₹194.62 crore in unexplained growth in Saraya Industries and ₹50.81 crore in unaccounted funds.
Cheema said the financial trail raised questions about the source and movement of the money, as well as the subsequent disappearance or closure of certain entities. He maintained that the chargesheet had placed the findings before the court and that the legal process would determine accountability.
Cheema targets SAD-BJP rule from 2007 to 2017
Launching an attack on the SAD-BJP alliance, Cheema described its 2007-2017 tenure as one of the darkest periods in Punjab’s history, alleging that the drug menace devastated families, destroyed young lives and left parents struggling to save their children from addiction.
He pointed out that Majithia served as a Cabinet Minister during that period and is the brother-in-law of SAD leader Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was Deputy Chief Minister. Cheema questioned how the financial empire under investigation had been built and called for accountability through the legal process.
Referring to the 2017 Assembly elections, Cheema also criticised the previous Congress government led by Captain Amarinder Singh, saying that despite promises to eradicate drugs, Punjab continued to struggle with the menace.
“The people of Punjab cannot afford another decade in which drug networks flourish and the future of our youth is put at risk,” he said, adding that those responsible for the damage caused by drugs must face accountability.
Over 80,000 arrests under ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’
Highlighting the AAP government's anti-drug campaign, Cheema said that since March 2022, the government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann had intensified action against drug trafficking under its ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign.
He claimed that more than 80,000 arrests had been made as part of the drive, adding that the government was targeting major drug traffickers while also working to ensure that people struggling with addiction received treatment.
“Our campaign is directed both at dismantling drug supply networks and helping those affected by addiction recover. We are determined to protect Punjab’s youth and prevent the state from returning to the dark days of the chitta crisis,” Cheema said.
Raises questions over heroin seizures at Gujarat ports
Questioning the BJP's record on tackling drug trafficking, Cheema referred to reports of major heroin seizures at Gujarat's ports and raised questions about the routes through which narcotics enter the country and the effectiveness of action against trafficking networks.
He also warned against any alleged political understanding between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Majithia, claiming that Punjab would not be allowed to return to a period marked by widespread drug abuse.
“Punjab has already suffered immensely because of the drug menace. We will not allow the state to be pushed back into the same crisis,” he said, calling for decisive action against drug traffickers and accountability for those who failed to protect the state's youth.
Reaffirming the AAP government's commitment, Cheema said that under the leadership of party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal and Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the government would continue its efforts to dismantle drug networks, take strict action against traffickers and provide treatment to people affected by addiction.
He concluded that the Vigilance Bureau's chargesheet had brought the financial transactions under investigation before the court and asserted that the government would continue its campaign against drugs to prevent Punjab from suffering a repeat of the devastation associated with chitta.
The allegations and financial findings cited by Cheema remain subject to judicial scrutiny, and the court will determine the legal accountability of those concerned.
