GORAKHPUR, July 7 -- A six-member team from the Punjab Vigilance Bureau arrived in Gorakhpur on Saturday evening to investigate several properties linked to former Punjab minister Bikram Singh Majithia and his associates, officials said. The probe is part of an ongoing investigation into allegations of disproportionate assets beyond Majithia's known sources of income. The vigilance team examined documents related to property ownership and financial transactions connected to Majithia and his network. Over 3,000 pages of records were reportedly photocopied during the operation, and multiple employees were questioned, they added. The Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader, who was arrested on June 25, is currently in police custody. The investigation has extended beyond Punjab to properties allegedly linked to him in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Chandigarh. Gorakhpur excise assistant commissioner RC Choudhary said a team from Punjab arrived and took photocopies of documents. However, it did not contact the district officials, he added. On Sunday, the team was said to have visited the now-defunct Saraiya Distillery located in Jungle Tinkonia No. 2 near the Gorakhpur Industrial Development Authority (GIDA). Although the distillery ceased operations in 2022, officials seized numerous records from its custodian Sharvan Kumar Vishnoi and security in-charge Sardar Jaswant Singh. The team closely examined documents related to production, sales, and individual ownership shares associated with the Majithia family. This marks the second inspection by the vigilance bureau of the distillery and Majithia Kothi-properties under scrutiny following reports of financial misconduct. The Saraiya distillery, spread over approximately 107 acres, remains heavily guarded throughout the year. Locals say that the property was once a bustling unit, but its activity has declined significantly in recent years. Senior officials from the Punjab Police, including SP and deputy rank officers, declined to share details with the media, citing the investigation as "top secret." However, sources indicate that authorities suspect the properties may have been acquired and maintained using funds linked to illegal activities, including drug trafficking. Historical records reveal that the Majithia family migrated from Punjab to Gorakhpur in 1907. They established Saraiya Sugar Mill and the distillery and played a significant role in the development of Sardar Nagar town. Meanwhile, Majithia's legal team has refuted the allegations, claiming they are politically motivated and asserting that all properties and financial holdings are legal and properly accounted for....