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Shiromi Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia surrendered in a Mohali court on Thursday after his interim protection from punitive actions ended on February 23. Majithia was booked by Punjab Police in an alleged multi-crore drugs racket case. A Special Investigation Team constituted by the Punjab government is probing the case.

On January 31, a Supreme Court bench headed by Chief Justice of India NV Ramana had granted protection to Majithia till February 23, 2022, for a case under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act.

The bench also consisting of Justices Bopanna and Hima Kohli had then asked Majithia to surrender before the Magistrate and seek a regular bail.

However, Senior Advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Majithia, had submitted that this was a “clear case of political vendetta”. He had also averred that there can’t be a grosser case of humiliation.

He had pointed out that the First Information Report, in this case, was registered on December 20, 2021, for the occurrence of the offence that are alleged to have taken place between 2004 to 2014.

Taking note of these submissions, court had taken serious objection to the fact that leaders of the opposition party were being arrested by the government in the days leading up to the election.

The CJI had then told Senior Advocate P. Chidabaram, appearing for Punjab that - “Anticipatory bail plea of another opposition leader is coming up before us tomorrow? Is this how things are done? Please advise your government”.