Posters declaring senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader and former Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia as “missing” surfaced in parts of Majitha constituency on Tuesday, days after a police case was registered against him and several others in connection with the alleged release of an Akali worker from police custody.
The posters appeared amid intensified efforts by the Punjab Police to trace Majithia following the registration of an FIR against him and more than 50 supporters. The posters urged residents to inform authorities if they had any information about his whereabouts and referred to allegations linked to an incident at Majitha police station.
Advertisement
The development comes after police booked Majithia and his supporters over allegations that they forcibly intervened in an ongoing investigation and secured the release of an accused from police custody. The case relates to an incident involving Jobanpreet Singh, who had been arrested in connection with an alleged assault and chain-snatching case reported on polling day.
According to police officials, Majithia, accompanied by a group of supporters, allegedly entered the Majitha police station without authorization and interfered with the investigation. Police claimed that the group reached the area where the accused was being questioned and forcibly took him from custody. Authorities, however, later detained the accused again.
Police have also alleged that government records were tampered with during the incident and that an attempt was made to snatch the mobile phone of the Station House Officer. Based on these allegations, FIR No. 91 was registered against Majithia and over 50 others. Officials said the identities of several accused persons have already been established, and further investigation is underway.
As part of the probe, police teams on Monday conducted searches at Majithia’s residence in Green Avenue, Amritsar. A large police contingent reportedly surrounded the property and carried out a search operation, but no one was found at the premises. The operation drew a sizeable gathering of Akali workers after news of the police action spread.
Officials also carried out searches at multiple locations, including Majitha, Chandigarh, and other places linked to the investigation. Reports have further suggested that the Punjab Police has initiated the process for a Look-Out Circular (LOC) against Majithia, which would restrict any foreign travel without the approval of the concerned agencies.
However, it may be noted that Majithia’s passport is already deposited with the Supreme Court in connection with an earlier case.
Meanwhile, police have constituted a Special Investigation Team (SIT) under the supervision of a senior police officer to examine all aspects of the matter and identify the remaining accused.
The Shiromani Akali Dal has yet to issue a detailed response to the latest police action, while the investigation continues.