India, Nov. 1 -- Punjab governor Gulab Chand Kataria has granted sanction to prosecute Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader and former minister Bikram Singh Majithia in a disproportionate assets case filed by the Vigilance Bureau.

This clears the way for the VB to initiate criminal proceedings against Majithia under the Prevention of Corruption Act.

According to sources in the Punjab Raj Bhavan, the approval was issued under Section 19 of the Act, following a recommendation by the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab cabinet based on the VB's findings and legal advice from the advocate general's office.

Majithia, a three-time MLA from Majitha and former revenue minister, is accused of possessing assets worth over Rs.700 crore, disproportionate to his ...