Majithia appears before ED, grilled for 4 hrs - Chandigarh Tribune

Punjab Revenue Minister Bikram Majithia arrives at the ED office in Jalandhar on Friday. Malkiat Singh

Punjab Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia today appeared before Enforcement Directorate (ED) sleuths, who interrogated him for over four hours, in connection with the Rs 6,000-crore Bhola drug racket.

Majithia arrived at the ED office around 10.20 am in a low-profile manner in his Fortuner, which was without a red beacon. Noticing the presence of large number of media persons, a visibly upset Majithia said: “Sanwaar ke photo khicho, rooh nal lao (take the best shot and display it wholeheartedly)”.

Jalandhar Police Commissioner Yurinder Hayre escorted Majithia to the directorate premises in his official car.

No show of strength was put up by the SAD’s rank and file. Akali MLA from Jalandhar Cantonment Pargat Singh reached the ED office ahead of Majithia. However, he denied to have come to receive Majithia. “I have come to meet Harbans Singh Chandi, the owner of the building,” said Pargat, who left office after about two hours.

ED Special Director (North) Karnal Singh was part of the interrogating team that comprised ED Joint Director Girish Bali and Assistant Director-cum-Inquiry Officer Niranjan Singh.

Majithia reportedly submitted to the investigators records of some of his financial statements and transactions, as had been sought by the agency. ED’s special public prosecutor Manjinder Singh Chaudhary was also present during the interrogation. The minister gave his statement as an oath in his own handwriting.

After being questioned for over four hours, Majithia came out of the ED office at 2:55 pm. “I was issued summons on December 19. I came despite a short notice given to me as I was keen to join investigations and ensure the truth is laid bare before people. I was engaged in a three-day Assembly session and there was a three-day holiday also. I could have asked for and got an alternate date. However, I decided to present myself before the agency at the first opportunity itself,” he told media persons.

“Earlier also five central agencies have investigated the matter during the Congress-led UPA rule and found nothing in it”, he said while not replying to any further queries.

After Majithia’s interrogation and getting more leads, the ED plans to cross-examine others, who had been questioned earlier. The ED is so far silent on whether Majithia would be summoned again or not.