Dera Beas chief Gurinder Singh Dhillon visits Bikram Singh Majithia in Nabha Jail

PATIALA: Dera Beas chief Gurinder Singh Dhillon visited Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia at Nabha jail on Tuesday, leading to speculation in both political and religious circles due to the ongoing high-profile investigations surrounding Majithia. The meeting lasted approximately 30 minutes, during which Dhillon and Majithia met privately inside the jail facility. Security was significantly heightened at Nabha jail in anticipation of the visit, and large groups of devotees gathered outside the premises seeking an audience with the renowned spiritual leader. After meeting Majithia, Dhillon proceeded to Hira Mahal, the residence of the descendants of Nabha's royal family. In recent days, the jail administration has denied access to several senior Shiromani Akali Dal leaders—Daljit Singh Cheema, Sikander Singh Maluka, Mahesh Inder Grewal, and Virsa Singh Valtoha—citing jail rules that permit visits only from immediate family members. Dhillon’s visit, as a religious figure rather than a political or family member, is expected to attract further attention. Bikram Singh Majithia is currently imprisoned in connection with a disproportionate assets case under the Prevention of Corruption Act. Authorities have filed a 40,000-page charge sheet alleging that Majithia amassed assets estimated at ₹540 crore through shell firms, benami transactions, and cross-border deals during his tenure from 2007 to 2017. Majithia’s bail plea was recently dismissed, and his judicial custody continues as investigations proceed. The purpose and details of Tuesday’s meeting remain undisclosed. Dhillon’s visit has sparked widespread debate and increased interest in Punjab’s political and religious communities, especially given the current atmosphere of legal scrutiny surrounding the Akali Dal leader. Jail Superintendent IS Kahlon said, "The meeting between the two was held at around 11:30 AM till 12 noon. Dera Beas head GS Dhillon is a relative of Bikram Majithia's wife, Ganieve Kaur."