Bikram Majithia released from Nabha jail after supreme court grants bail in disproportionate assets case

PATIALA: Senior Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former Punjab Cabinet minister Bikram Singh Majithia walked out of New Nabha Jail on Tuesday afternoon, a day after the Supreme Court granted him bail in a disproportionate assets (DA) case involving alleged laundering of Rs 540 crore. Majithia emerged from the prison gates at approximately 2:15 PM and was greeted by a gathering of SAD workers and supporters who had camped outside the jail since Tuesday morning. Clad in his traditional attire, he was welcomed with the beating of drums, flower petals, and slogans of "Majhe de Jarnail" by his supporters. While twirling his moustache Majithia said, "Tell them (AAP leadership), Tiger Abhi Zinda hai". He was received by his wife, Ganieve Kaur Majithia (MLA, Majitha), who earlier in the day also brought Kurta Pajama for Bikram. Following his release, Majithia was taken in an open jeep as part of a victory procession, with plans to pay obeisance at Gurdwara Dukhniwaran Sahib in Patiala. Notably, the Supreme Court bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, granted bail on Monday, noting that Majithia was already in custody for seven months and that the investigation’s charge sheet was already filed. The DA case related to a "check period" between 2007 and 2017, yet the FIR was registered in June 2025. A few hours before his bail, Dera Beas head Gurinder Singh Dhillon met him inside Nabha jail. The Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrested Majithia on June 25, 2025, alleging he accumulated wealth exceeding Rs 540 crore beyond his known sources of income. The SIT claimed funds were routed through foreign entities in Singapore and Cyprus. Majithia consistently maintained that the charges were a "concocted conspiracy" by the AAP-led govt to silence political opposition. Majithia on Tuesday said that state’s restrictions - seeking to bar me from entering the state of Punjab except for court hearings and a "social media gag" to prevent me from making public statements but the court dismissed these requests, upholding my constitutional right to free speech and noting that as a permanent resident of Punjab, he could not be barred from his home state", he said while adding that they (VB) also wanted that I should not twirl my moustache but it is not possible.Blaming private viewing inside judicial custody, Majithia claimed that 32 cameras were installed to keep a watch on him inside jail and even his counsels and family members were not allowed to meet him thus violating my human rights. "Truth has triumphed, and the end of oppression has begun. Majithia na rukuga, na jhukega (Majithia will neither stop nor bow)", said Bikram Singh Majithia, while addressing the media after his release. He also blamed the govt's attempt to stop his supporters reaching Nabha jail to welcome him as, he said, soil-loaded tippers were placed on several routes for this purpose. On Tuesday, Majithia lambasted the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership outside jail, accusing them of using state machinery for personal vendettas and urged people of Punjab to cause runaway Delhi Wale (Delhi AAP leadership in Punjab) and let Punjabis run Punjab state. "I managed to survive on brinjal curry but how'll you manage when it comes to your (Bhagwant Mann) turn", said Majithia and blamed that govt made attempts to break me mentally by not allowing my counsels and family members to meet me. "I warn Bhagwant Mann that I will keep zero compromise and Zero tolerance policy against you". Besides thanking his wife and party workers, Majithia thanked SAD president Sukhbir Singh Badal and Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Cong turned BJP leaders Capt. Amarinder Singh, Sunil Jakhar and Ravneet Bittu, Congress leaders Sukhpal Singh Khaira, Partap Bajwa, Ashu and Charanjit Singh Channi for speaking in his support.