SAS Nagar, June 28: During the ongoing investigation against Shiromani Akali Dal senior leader Bikram Singh Majithia, arrested by the Vigilance Bureau in a disproportionate assets case in Punjab, former Enforcement Directorate (ED) Deputy Director Niranjan Singh recorded his statement with the Vigilance Bureau today.
It is noteworthy that Niranjan Singh played a significant role in the ED’s investigation against Majithia in 2014 while serving as Deputy Director. Niranjan Singh had previously stated that Bikram Singh Majithia’s name was not in the police FIR, but it surfaced during the interrogation of the accused.
Niranjan Singh said that the investigation continued until his retirement in 2021, and a status report had already been filed in court, so he could not share further details at this time.
Speaking to the media, he said that he had investigated the Rs. 6,000 crore Bhola drug case, in which 17 individuals were convicted. At that time, Bikram Majithia’s name did not directly surface. However, when statements were taken from Bhola and Bindu Aulakh, Majithia’s name was mentioned.
Niranjan Singh stated that he came to provide information to the Vigilance regarding the drug case. He said that he was asked for cooperation, and he provided the information accordingly. He handed over the recordings he had. He noted that the investigation he conducted at that time has now been taken over by the Vigilance. He said that this case is connected to the earlier case, and he provided the facts related to it today.
He clarified that today’s investigation is not related to the drug case but to the disproportionate assets case. However, the foundation is the same. Therefore, he was called to give a statement. He told the Vigilance what the other accused and Bhola had told him. He reiterated the statements he had given during the ED investigation.
He said that based on his investigation report, a report was filed in the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Based on this, the High Court had directed the STF to investigate and take action. The STF also submitted its report with observations to the High Court. The High Court had ordered action based on the report, but the then government did not take any action.
It is noteworthy that earlier, former Punjab DGP Siddharth Chattopadhyaya had also recorded his statement with the Vigilance.