Sukhbir Badal meets Bikram Majithia in Nabha jail, alleges political pressure on Punjab government

Shiromani Akali Dal president Sukhbir Singh Badal visited Nabha jail on Thursday to meet senior party leader Bikram Singh Majithia, who is currently in judicial custody. The meeting comes amid ongoing political tensions in Punjab over allegations of misuse of investigative agencies.

Speaking to reporters after the visit, Badal accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann of acting under pressure from the central government. He claimed that Punjab’s interests were being compromised due to what he described as the state government’s inability to assert itself independently in matters involving federal agencies.

Badal also issued a warning to government officials, alleging that false cases were being registered against Akali Dal leaders for political reasons. He said officers involved in what he termed politically motivated investigations should be prepared to face accountability in the future.

Majithia, a former cabinet minister, has previously maintained that the cases against him are politically driven, an allegation the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government has denied. The state government has consistently said that law enforcement agencies are acting independently and in accordance with the law.

The developments add to the broader debate in Punjab over the role of central agencies, political accountability, and the balance of power between the state and the Centre, issues that have featured prominently in recent state politics.