As a bench headed by Chief Justice of India N.V. Ramana agreed to hear Majithia’s appeal against denial of anticipatory bail by the Punjab and Haryana High Court, it said the state should wait till it hears the matter on Monday.
The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Punjab government not to arrest Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia in an alleged drugs case till Monday. Senior advocate P Chidambaram, who appeared for the state government, alleged that Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia has been in hiding since he was refused relief by the high court.
As a bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana agreed to hear Majithia’s appeal against denial of anticipatory bail by the Punjab and Haryana high court, it said the state should wait till it hears the matter on Monday.
The Senior counsel Mukul Rohatgi, representing Majithia, mentioned the matter for an urgent listing before the bench, which includes justices AS Bopanna and Hima Kohli. “This is a case of political vendetta. They want him to be arrested during the election fever,” Rohatgi, assisted by a team of counsel from law firm Karanjawala & Co., complained.
“What election fever, Mr. Rohatgi? This is an election virus. Everyone is rushing to courts now, “ the bench retorted.
Rohatgi sought an interim order to protect his client from arrest till the next date of hearing. He added Majithia’s petition for anticipatory bail was rejected on January 24 and he was given protection only for three days. He added it was expiring on Thursday while seeking protection.
Senior advocate P Chidambaram, who appeared for the Punjab government, alleged Majithia has been in hiding since he was refused the relief by the high court.
The bench told Chidambaram that the state should not take any coercive step against Majithia since the top court has agreed to list his matter for hearing.
The dismissal of Majithia’s bail plea came a day before the filing of nomination papers was to commence in Punjab. Majithia plans to contest from Majitha constituency in Amritsar district.
The state government opposed the continuation of this relief before the high court contending Majithia has not extended full cooperation during the probe.
Majithia claimed that the case was registered against him because of the elections. He added the sole intention of registering it was to take him into custody and torture him. In his appeal filed before the top court, Majithia called the case a blatant abuse of power and linked it to political vengeance ahead of elections. He maintained there is no credible evidence against him and that he has been cooperating with the investigators.