"Criminal cases coming up before elections:" Supreme Court grants interim protection to SAD leader Bikram Majithia

The Supreme Court on Monday granted interim protection from arrest to Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Majithia in a drug case registered against him by the Punjab Police [Bikram Singh Majithia v. State of Punjab]..A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India (CJI) NV Ramana also berated the Punjab government, noting that such criminal cases have suddenly started "coming up" against political opponents just before the assembly elections are due."Sorry to say there was another mentioning regarding Simarjit Singh Bains where a case has been registered against him. Sorry to say suddenly these criminal cases are coming up before elections," the CJI remarked.The Court, therefore, ordered that Majithia should not be arrested till February 23, 2022 after noting that the assembly polls are scheduled for February 20."We are not saying hold your hands and not control drug mafias. But let the elections take place on February 20. At least allow to file nominations," the CJI added.On February 24, Majithia will have to surrender before trial court and apply for regular bail, the Court clarified."Heard the counsel, For the present, we are protecting the petitioner from arrest till February 23. On 24th Majithia has to surrender before trial court and apply for regular bail," the order said..The Punjab and Haryana High Court had on January 24 dismissed Majithia's plea for anticipatory bail but granted him interim protection for three days to file his appeal before the Supreme Court.The drug case dates back to 2013 and an FIR was registered based on a special task force report which was submitted before the High Court in 2018."The present case is blatantly political in nature and has been registered with a malafide objective to target the petitioner who is the mainstream leader of opposition party, one month prior to polls in the State," the petition by Majithia said.The Congress government in the State is misusing its powers and position to wreak vengeance against its political opponents and the petitioner is one such target, the appeal stated.Senior Counsel Mukul Rohatgi briefed by Karanjawala & Co appeared for Majithia.Senior Counsel P Chidambaram represented the Punjab government..[Read Order]