Akali Dal leader Bikram Majithia is questioned by police about narcotics.

Patiala: Former Punjab Cabinet Minister and senior Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia appeared before a special investigation team (SIT) of the Punjab Policein a 2013 drugs case, in Patiala on Monday.

He was questioned for nearly seven hours, from around 12 pm to around 7 pm.

Majithia’s supporters shouted slogans against the AAP government and alleged that his questioning was “politically motivated”.

Speaking to the media, Majithia said that ADGP Lakhwinder Singh Chinna, who is heading the SIT, would retire this month and challenged Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to head the SIT himself, adding that he was ready for “face-to-face questioning”.

“This is the week of the martyrs. Only lions can be put in a cage. I am not frightened of being arrested,” he said.

The Akali Dal leader said that if the police had evidence against him, it should be submitted to the court.

“This case is going to complete two years. If there was nothing, then why was I summoned again? In fact, I have spoken against Bhagwant Mann and that is why I have been summoned. I’m not afraid of anybody,” Majithia said.

The Akali Dal leader said that the Chief Minister should not consider him a weak leader as he was “prepared to face anything”.

“You can use full powers against me but it would not be easy to suppress me by misusing the agencies and police,” Majithia added.

Bikram Majithia was named an accused under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act in an FIR filed by the state Crime Branch at its Mohali police station during the Congress government in the state in December 2021.

Besides Majithia, three more people, including Amrinder Singh Chhena alias Laddi Chhena, Satpreet Singh Satta and Parminder Singh Pindi, were also named in the FIR. The police have yet to arrest the three other accused, who are Canadian citizens.