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AAP suspends Punjab MLA Kunwar Vijay for 5 years after he opposes arrest of SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia

Kunwar Vijay shared a video of the VB raid against Bikram Singh Majithia, claiming they violated ethical standards and family dignity.

The Aam Aadmi Party has suspended Kunwar Vijay Pratap from the party for five years. (X/Kunwar Pratap)

Days after the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Amritsar North in Punjab, Kunwar Vijay Pratap Singh, opposed the arrest of Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former minister Bikram Singh Majithia in a disproportionate assets case, the party’s political affairs committee suspended him from the party for five years.

The Punjab Vigilance Bureau on June 25 arrested Majithia after conducting a raid at his residence in Amritsar in a disproportionate assets case worth Rs 540 crore Kunwar Vijay shared a video of the raid showing Majithia’s wife Ganieve Kaur protesting against the alleged high-handedness of VB sleuths.

Kunwar Vijay, who is a former IPS officer, said, “When Majithia ji was in jail, the Bhagwant Mann government neither conducted any interrogation nor sought his remand and eventually allowed him bail.”

“However, it is a question of a family’s dignity now, it is the dignity of every family, whether one is a politician, actor, rich or poor, friend or foe. Conducting a raid at someone’s house early in the morning is against ethics. Almost every government has misused the police and vigilance agencies for its own benefit, but the outcome has never been significant,” Kunwar Vijay said on social media.

While pronouncing disciplinary action against Kunwar Vijay, the AAP has stated, “Questioning the vigilance action against Vikram Majithia proved costly for Kunwar Vijay Pratap. It is the Mann government’s clear message through this big decision that politics will not be tolerated in the campaign against drugs. Action against drugs is the party’s ideology and whoever tries to create obstacles in it has no place in the party. The Aam Aadmi Party has suspended Kunwar Vijay Pratap from the party for five years. This is a decision of the Aam Aadmi Party’s PAC (political affairs committee). He has been suspended for being involved in anti-party activities.”

Kunwar Vijay had said he may have had political disagreements or ideological differences with Majithia, but when it came to principles, religion, and integrity, one should speak out. “When Majithia sahib was in jail in a case registered during the Congress government, the Mann government did not seek any remand or conduct any questioning. Later, the state apparatus under Mann sahib even facilitated his bail.”

He had also stated that the Punjab and Haryana High Court granted him bail on the grounds that if the police don’t require someone for interrogation, keeping them in custody is against the law.

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“I am trying to make a point here that when he was in custody, the government enabled his bail. Now, suddenly, notices are being issued to him, raids are being conducted at his house, and the privacy of his wife is being violated. I reiterate that I have an ideological disagreement with Majithia sahib. That will remain. This, however, is a matter of ethics and integrity,” he said.

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

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