-Liquor baron allegedly routed illicit funds to buy Delhi farmhouse, Shimla properties for ex-minister
Chandigarh, 01, December
In a major breakthrough, the Punjab Vigilance Bureau on Saturday arrested Harpreet Singh Gulati, a prominent liquor businessman and close associate of former Akali minister Bikram Singh Majithia, in connection with a multi-crore money transfer scam.
Gulati was nabled from Mohali and produced before a local court, which granted six-day police remand for further interrogation.
A Vigilance spokesperson revealed that Gulati, through his liquor firms Akash Spriti, UV Enterprises, and AD Enterprises, allegedly acted as a front for Majithia to route black money generated during the SAD-BJP regime (2007–2017). These funds were used to purchase high-value properties, including a luxurious farmhouse in Sainik Farms, Delhi, and real estate in Shimla, in the name of Majithia and his family members.
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Key findings of the probe so far:
- From 2008–2010, Gulati’s firms transferred ₹5.65 crore (₹4.25 cr in 2008-09 + ₹1.40 cr in 2009-10) to Majithia-linked companies and family members.
- In 2014–15, another ₹5.49 crore was pumped in as “unsecured advances” and loan repayments with no commercial justification.
- Total illicit transactions unearthed: over ₹10 crore, with evidence suggesting the figure could rise significantly.
The spokesperson stated that these were non-commercial, layered transactions disguised as business advances, with no legitimate trade or service involved — classic hallmarks of quid-pro-quo and money laundering.
The case stems from allegations that Majithia, as Revenue and Excise Minister, favoured select liquor contractors (including Gulati) with L-2/L-14A licences in return for kickbacks that were routed back through benami companies.
Further raids and scrutiny of bank accounts, properties, and shell companies are underway. More arrests are likely in the coming days.
