Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant recuses to hear appeal against bail granted to SAD leader Bikram Majithia

The Supreme Court Justice Surya Kant has recused to hear the challenge of the Punjab Government against granting bail to Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Bikram Singh Majithia in connection with a drugs case.

The matter was put before the bench of Justice Kant and Justice JK Maheshwari today.

Justice Kant, recused himself from hearing the case stating that as a judge of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, he ordered for a special investigation team to be formed in connection with the probe into drug cases in which Majithia is an accused.

The State of Punjab was represented by Senior Advocate Shyam Divan.

in the year 201, the case was registered under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. A first information report (FIR) was registered based on a special task force report that was submitted before the High Court in 2018.

The Supreme Court in May 2022, had declined to entertain a plea by Majithia for quashing the FIR against him.

The Apex Court, had however granted Majithia permission to approach a division bench of the High Court with his application or to apply for regular bail in the case, while granting him interim protection from arrest.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court in AUgust 2022, had granted bail to Majithia in the matter, prompting the government to challenge the same before the Supreme Court by way of the present appeal.