SC asks Punjab Govt not to arrest SAD leader Majithia in drugs case till Jan 31

NEW DELHI, Jan 27:
The Supreme Court on Thursday orally asked the Punjab Government not to take any coercive step against SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia till January 31 when it hears his pre-arrest bail plea in a drugs case.
A bench comprising Chief Justice N V Ramana and Justices A S Bopanna and Hima Kohli took note of the submissions of senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for Majithia, that the plea seeking anticipatory bail plea needed urgent hearing as the accused has been facing “political vendetta”.
“This is political vendetta. He is called to police station. This is all due to the election fever”, said Rohatgi while seeking urgent hearing of the plea of Majithia.
“Is it election fever or election virus. All are rushing to this court,” the bench said.
The senior lawyer said the high court had granted protection from arrest while dismissing the anticipatory bail petition of Majithia to enable him to approach the apex court.
The Punjab Police, which is aware of the fact that a plea has been filed in the apex court, is trying to arrest him, he said.
Senior advocate P Chidambaram, appearing for the Punjab government, said that Majithia has gone into hiding and now appearing here through the counsel.
“Is it fair Mr Chidambaram, when you know that his petition is going to be listed,” the CJI observed, adding, “Tell your government to not do anything. We will list on Monday.”
The pre-arrest bail plea of Majithia, who was booked under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act on December 20 last year, was dismissed by the Punjab and Haryana High Court on January 24 and an appeal has been filed in the apex court. (PTI)