Legal Notice to Majithia Over Drug Trade Allegations in Punjab

Chandigarh, October 27: In a sharp escalation of the political row in Punjab, Rajvir Singh Ghumman, OSD to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has issued a legal notice to Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia. The notice demands that Majithia retract allegations that Ghumman was linked to an illegal drug trafficking syndicate and unlawful business operations.

The notice terms Majithia's social media posts, written in Punjabi, English and Hindi, as false, defamatory and without any documentary or legal evidence. Ghumman maintains that every accusation in the posts is baseless and manufactured.

Ghumman's legal communication also addresses the 'Suman Arbor Group', stating clearly that it has no association, direct or indirect, official or private, with any private de-addiction centre or any illegal pharmaceutical trade network in Punjab or anywhere else.

The notice argues that the posts were motivated by personal grudges and political retaliation. It alleges that Majithia, as a senior political figure, intentionally sought to tarnish the public image of Ghumman and inflict political damage on the government by carrying out a character assassination campaign.

It further points out that Majithia tagged more than two dozen major national and state media houses, journalists and institutional social media accounts, ensuring the allegations reached every district of Punjab. Ghumman says he has endured immense mental pain, humiliation and harassment, with countless calls and enquiries coming in from relatives, well-wishers, friends and colleagues in Punjab and outside the state, many asking whether the accusations are true.

Citing several legal provisions, the notice holds Majithia responsible for paying significant monetary compensation for the damage to Ghumman's reputation and social standing across the state.

Ghumman has set three conditions: withdrawal of the allegations, removal of the posts within 24 hours, and a public apology along with a written assurance that such claims will not be made again. If the demands are not fulfilled, he has warned of criminal proceedings and a defamation damages suit.