Punjab Congress chief seeks CBI probe into drugs racket

Punjab Congress president Pratap Singh Bajwa Wednesday urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to order a probe by the CBI or by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court on the drugs racket in the state.

In a letter to Modi, Bajwa sought his personal intervention in the matter.

"It is an issue of utmost public importance that cannot be looked through the political prism as it concerns the very future of Punjab which all along had the distinction of being the sword arm and the food bowl of the country," he said.

Bajwa alleged that the name of Punjab Revenue Minister Bikram Singh Majithia, brother of union Food Processing Minister Harsimrat Badal and brother-in-law of Deputy Chief Minister and Akali Dal president Sukhbir Badal, had figured in the investigation into drugs smuggling.

"The accused arrested so far have revealed his name and their association with him. As reported, the ED (Enforcement Directorate) has already prepared an elaborate questionnaire but the ED seems to be dithering due to the alleged involvement of such a high profile minister whose sister happens to be your cabinet colleague," Bajwa noted.

"I write to remind you of the solemn promise you made to the people of Punjab not more than six months ago to eradicate drug trafficking and demand that you acknowledge your promise and order CBI probe or constitute a judicial enquiry headed by a sitting judge of the hon'ble Supreme Court to examine all allegations.

"The people of Punjab expect from you that the guilty would finally be brought to book, no matter how well connected or politically powerful the person might be," Bajwa said in the letter.

Bajwa has been himself the target of Akali Dal leaders for his alleged links with the drugs mafia in Punjab in the past.

The Punjab Police had, last year, busted an international synthetic drugs racket in Punjab worth nearly Rs.6,000 crore. The racket had links to Canada, US, Britain, and some other countries in Europe and southeast Asia.