Chandigarh, October 28, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Senior Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader and Punjab Cabinet Minister Harpal Singh Cheema on Wednesday launched a sharp attack on the Shiromani Akali Dal (Badal) and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), alleging that a 40,000-page chargesheet filed by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau against Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia details financial transactions worth ₹736.96 crore routed through a network of companies.
Describing the 2007-2017 Akali-BJP government as one of the darkest periods in Punjab’s history, Cheema alleged that the spread of chitta devastated families and damaged the lives of thousands of young people. He also questioned the BJP’s approach to tackling drug trafficking and warned against any political understanding between Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Majithia that, according to him, could undermine Punjab’s campaign against drugs.
Cheema said the Bhagwant Singh Mann-led government would continue its ‘Yudh Nashean Virudh’ campaign to dismantle drug networks and protect Punjab’s youth. Citing government figures, he claimed that more than 80,000 arrests had been made under the campaign.
Addressing a press conference, Cheema said the chargesheet detailed financial transactions allegedly involving ₹736.96 crore and examined the movement of funds through several companies.
“The Punjab Vigilance Bureau has filed a 40,000-page chargesheet against Bikram Singh Majithia, detailing financial transactions worth ₹736.96 crore. The investigation has traced an extensive network of companies through which these transactions allegedly took place. The findings raise serious questions about the source of the money, the movement of funds and the corporate structures used to route these transactions,” he said.
Cheema said FIR No. 22 was registered on June 25, 2025, by the Flying Squad of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau in Mohali under Sections 13(1)(e) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. According to him, the investigation covers the period from March 2, 2007, to March 31, 2017, while the supplementary chargesheet sets out findings from the probe.
He identified several companies and business entities examined during the investigation, including Saraya Industries Private Limited, Peregrine Saraya Organics Private Limited, S.D. Beverages Private Limited, A2Z Transport/Patiala Express, A.D. Enterprises, a proprietorship of Amardeep Singh Hunjun, Harpreet Gulati HUF (United Wines), Akash Enterprises, a proprietorship of Harpreet Singh Gulati, UW Enterprises Private Limited, A.D. Enterprises Private Limited and Akash Spirit Private Limited.
“The financial trail raises serious questions about the source of funds, their movement between different companies and the subsequent disappearance or closure of certain entities. The chargesheet details the transactions uncovered during the investigation and the corporate network through which the money allegedly moved,” Cheema said.
Cheema Details Financial Findings Cited in Investigation
Outlining the financial findings presented by the investigating agency, Cheema cited several amounts allegedly identified during the probe.
These included ₹170.39 crore in excess cash deposits in Saraya Industries’ bank accounts, ₹176.56 crore in alleged undue benefits received by the company from foreign entities, ₹127.90 crore in surplus funds, ₹16.68 crore in alleged undue benefits linked to Nawanshahr Power Private Limited, ₹194.62 crore in unexplained growth in Saraya Industries and ₹50.81 crore in unaccounted funds.
“These findings raise important questions about the source and movement of the funds and the financial transactions carried out through the companies under investigation. The 40,000-page chargesheet places the financial trail before the court, and the legal process will determine accountability,” he said.
The allegations and financial findings cited by Cheema are subject to examination through the judicial process.
Cheema Criticises Akali-BJP Rule From 2007 to 2017
Launching a political attack on the previous Akali-BJP government, Cheema described the period from 2007 to 2017 as a decade marked by the devastating impact of chitta on Punjab’s families.
“The period from 2007 to 2017 was one of the darkest chapters in Punjab’s history. Chitta devastated families, destroyed the lives of young people and left countless parents struggling to save their children from addiction. At the same time, the financial dealings now under investigation raise serious questions about the wealth accumulated by influential political figures,” he said.
Cheema noted that Majithia had served as a Cabinet Minister during that period and was the brother-in-law of Sukhbir Singh Badal, who was then Deputy Chief Minister.
“The people of Punjab have every right to question how such a vast financial empire was built and how the transactions now under investigation took place during these years,” he added.
Referring to promises made during the 2017 Punjab Assembly elections, Cheema criticised former Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh, alleging that the Congress government had failed to eliminate the drug menace despite its public commitments.
He said successive governments had not done enough to dismantle the networks responsible for drug trafficking and argued that those found responsible for wrongdoing must face accountability through the legal process.
AAP Cites More Than 80,000 Arrests Under Anti-Drug Campaign
Cheema said the AAP government had intensified its campaign against drugs since taking office in March 2022 under Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann.
“Since March 2022, under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Aam Aadmi Party government has intensified its campaign against drugs. More than 80,000 arrests have been made as part of this action. We are targeting major drug traffickers, taking action against those involved in the trade and ensuring that people struggling with addiction receive treatment,” he said.
He added that the campaign aimed both to dismantle drug supply networks and to help people affected by addiction access treatment and recovery support.
“Our campaign is directed both at dismantling drug supply networks and helping those affected by addiction recover. We are determined to protect Punjab’s youth and prevent the state from returning to the dark days of the chitta crisis,” Cheema said.
Cheema Questions BJP’s Record on Drug Trafficking
Questioning the BJP’s record on tackling drug trafficking, Cheema referred to major heroin seizures at Gujarat’s ports and called for greater scrutiny of the routes through which narcotics enter the country.
“Repeated reports of major heroin seizures at Gujarat’s ports raise serious questions about the routes through which drugs enter the country and the effectiveness of action against trafficking networks. The BJP must answer questions about its record on this issue,” he said.
Cheema also warned against a possible political understanding between Amit Shah and Majithia, arguing that Punjab could not afford any development that weakened efforts to combat drugs.
“Punjab has already suffered immensely because of the drug menace. We will not allow the state to be pushed back into the same crisis. The people of Punjab want decisive action against drug traffickers and accountability from those who failed to protect the state’s youth,” he said.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, Cheema said the AAP leadership would continue to pursue action against drug traffickers, dismantle their networks and support people affected by addiction.
“The 40,000-page chargesheet filed by the Punjab Vigilance Bureau has brought the financial transactions under investigation before the court. We will continue to fight drugs and work to ensure that Punjab never returns to the devastation caused by chitta,” he concluded.
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