Crime – Punjab AAP MLA Arrested After Months on the Run

Crime –  With the Punjab Assembly elections approaching, a major development has emerged involving Aam Aadmi Party legislator Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, who had been evading arrest for several months in connection with a serious criminal case. Punjab Police have now taken him into custody from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh after tracking him through digital evidence.

Arrest After Months of Evasion

Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, a first-time MLA from the Sanour constituency, had been missing since September last year when a rape case was registered against him. Police officials confirmed that he was apprehended on the outskirts of Gwalior and subsequently brought back to Patiala. Authorities revealed that his arrest followed a series of technical inputs, including activity traced to a hotel’s Wi-Fi network in the Gwalior region.

Investigators discovered that a mobile number registered in the United Kingdom had been used on the same network, which eventually led them to the accused. Contrary to earlier speculation that he had fled abroad, the MLA had remained within the country while avoiding law enforcement agencies.

Operation Planned With Multiple Agencies

The arrest was carried out under a coordinated effort named Operation Pathan. The mission, which lasted nearly 48 hours, involved close cooperation between Punjab Police, counter-intelligence units, and inter-state law enforcement teams. The operation was led by senior police officials, including Superintendent of Police Vaibhav Chaudhary.

Personnel from various specialized units, including the Anti-Gangster Task Force, were deployed to ensure the operation’s success. Officials described the effort as highly strategic, with intelligence inputs being shared in real time to prevent the accused from escaping again.

Legal Status and Ongoing Case

Pathanmajra had already been declared a proclaimed offender after repeatedly failing to appear before the court. A lookout notice had also been issued against him. According to police officials, six teams had been working continuously for months, following leads across several states before finally locating him.

The case against him was filed by a woman from Zirakpur, who alleged that he misrepresented his marital status, entered into a relationship with her, and later married her despite already being married. Charges of rape, cheating, and criminal intimidation were registered at a police station in Patiala.

Previous Escape and Controversies

The MLA had earlier managed to escape from police custody during an attempted arrest in Karnal, Haryana. Police had alleged that his supporters created a disturbance, including firing shots and throwing stones at officers. However, Pathanmajra denied these claims, stating that he fled out of fear for his life, alleging the possibility of a staged encounter.

Following the incident, the Punjab government withdrew his security cover, and additional cases were registered against individuals suspected of helping him evade arrest.

Extensive Search Across States

Law enforcement agencies had conducted raids across multiple states, including Punjab, Haryana, Delhi, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Madhya Pradesh. Despite these efforts, Pathanmajra remained elusive for months, occasionally releasing video statements claiming innocence and alleging political motives behind the case.

His anticipatory bail plea was rejected by a Patiala court, and a subsequent application was also dismissed. Later, the court formally declared him a proclaimed offender under legal provisions.

Political Impact on AAP

The case has posed a significant challenge for the Aam Aadmi Party, which came to power in Punjab in 2022 with a strong mandate centered on clean governance and anti-corruption. The prolonged absence of the MLA and the seriousness of the allegations have raised concerns about the party’s public image.

The arrest comes shortly after another controversy involving a former cabinet minister, further intensifying scrutiny on the party’s leadership and governance record.

Authorities have confirmed that Pathanmajra will be produced before a competent court in the coming days as legal proceedings continue.