Says AAP government failed to present evidence in courts; arrests aimed at political mileage
LUDHIANA: Union Minister for Railways and Food Processing Ravneet Singh Bittu on Tuesday hit out at Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing him of turning the case against senior Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia into a political spectacle. He alleged that repeated arrests without credible evidence were weakening the legal case against Majithia.
In a strongly worded statement, Bittu said the AAP government had failed to present any substantial evidence in both the Punjab and Haryana High Court and the Supreme Court, which ultimately led to Majithia securing bail. “This fresh arrest too will meet the same fate. It’s clear this is just political posturing. Every such arrest dilutes the case further, ” Bittu claimed.
The Union Minister alleged that Bhagwant Mann was using the issue to gain political mileage, instead of pursuing a serious investigation. “So many SITs have been formed since the Congress government’s time, yet no conclusive outcome. Mann is using the issue for theatrics. His actions, often taken under the influence of liquor, show he has no intent to take the case to its logical end, ” Bittu said.
He further stated that Mann had suspended the Vigilance Bureau Chief and three SSPs, only to reinstate two of them later. One of the suspended officers had earlier arrested Majithia. “What commitment did the CM take from them for their reinstatement? These actions raise serious legal and ethical questions and will eventually benefit Majithia in court, ” he said.
Turning up the heat, Bittu remarked, “The same police officers who are now acting on Mann’s directions will arrest him after he loses the 2027 election. Numerous corruption cases will surface against him once he's out of power. And when that day comes, not even his own family will stand by him.”
Bittu also questioned the silence of the Punjab Congress leadership, particularly PPCC chief Amarinder Singh Raja Warring, whom he accused of covertly supporting the AAP during the Ludhiana West by-election. “Corruption cases related to drugs and bus body scams involving Warring are lying with the CM. That’s why he stayed away from the bypoll campaign, ” Bittu alleged.