"MLAs who would come on bicycle now own luxury cars'': Jakhar writes to CM Mann, seeks HC-monitored drug money probe
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, December 9, 2025: Punjab BJP President Sunil Jakhar has once again targeted the state government over what he calls the alarming spread of corruption and the unchecked rise of drug-related networks in Punjab. Calling corruption a “nasoor” (deadly wound) that has deeply infected society, Jakhar said even senior leaders of a party that ruled India for 70 years are now accusing each other of major corruption—showing how widespread the crisis has become.
Referring to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s earlier remarks describing corruption as “cancer,” Jakhar questioned why no action is being taken despite claims of having “files” against corrupt individuals. He reiterated that he had written to the Chief Minister before and has now renewed his demand for a time-bound investigation under the direct supervision of the Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
In a detailed letter dated June 16, 2025, Jakhar urged the Chief Minister to request the High Court to initiate a probe led by Chief Justice Sheel Nagu into the drug money trail—to “track down the mighty and powerful end beneficiaries.”
Jakhar wrote that merely arresting small drug peddlers or addicts would not solve anything. Instead, the state must identify the big players financing the drug network. He argued:
- Punjab’s drug cartels could not thrive without the patronage of powerful individuals.
- The recovery of narcotics worth thousands of crores raises suspicion about who has been benefiting.
- Several politicians’ sudden rise in wealth over recent years cannot be dismissed as a coincidence. He mentioned that several MLAs who would come on bicycles now own luxury cars over crores.
- Money laundering linked to the drug trade should be probed by the Enforcement Directorate under the Chief Justice’s supervision.
He emphasised that the probe must cover all political leaders, including MLAs, ministers, party presidents and in-charges across parties. Offering himself for scrutiny, he wrote:
“I, as the state BJP president, offer myself to be the first to be probed as a mark of sincerity.”
Jakhar also demanded that the investigation include the illicit money trails from illegal mining and sand mafia, ensuring that “the guilty are brought to book.”
Jakhar concluded that the seriousness of the situation requires urgent action to “restore the dwindling faith of the people of Punjab.”
He stressed that only a judiciary-supervised investigation can expose the powerful beneficiaries behind drug money flow and widespread corruption.
Copy of the letter:
