Supreme Court To Hear Akali Leader Bikram Majithia's Anticipatory Bail Plea On Jan 31; Asks Punjab Police To Not Arrest Him Till Then

The Supreme Court on Thursday agreed to hear the petition filed by Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia seeking anticipatory bail in a drug case on January 31 (Monday). The Court also asked the State of Punjab to not take any coercive action against him till next Monday.

Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi mentioned Majithia's petition before the Chief Justice of India seeking urgent listing. "This is political vendetta. He is called to police station. This is all due to the election fever", Rohatgi submitted.

"Is it election fever or election virus? All are rushing to the court", CJI Ramana remarked in a lighter vein.

Rohatgi submitted that the High Court granted him three days protection after dismissing his petition seeking anticipatory bail. Though the police know that he has approached the Supreme Court, they are trying to arrest him, the senior counsel added.

At this juncture, Senior Advocate P Chidambaram said that he is entering an appearance for the State of Punjab.

"Is it fair Mr Chidambaram, when you know that his petition is going to be listed?", CJI asked him.

Chidambaram pointed out that the High Court dismissed his bail application on January 24. "After that, he has gone into hiding and now he is appearing through counsel", he said.

"Tell your government to not do anything. We will list on Monday", CJI told Chidambaram.

Majithia has approached the Supreme Court against the January 24 order of a single bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court which refused him pre-arrest bail in connection with an NDPS case registered against him.

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