Will return after getting bail: Rape-accused Punjab AAP MLA Harmeet Pathanmajra flees to Australia
Pathanmajra, a first-time MLA from Patiala district, had been absconding since September 2 after evading arrest from Haryana's Karnal, where police had launched a raid at his relative's house in Dabri village. According to reports, his supporters allegedly opened fire and pelted stones at police personnel during the operation, allowing him to escape in two SUVs.
New Delhi: Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Punjab's Sanour constituency, Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, has reportedly fled to Australia even as he faces charges of rape, cheating, and criminal intimidation. This has raised questions over immigration lapses, as a lookout notice had already been issued against him.
Pathanmajra, a first-time MLA from Patiala district, had been absconding since September 2 after evading arrest from Haryana's Karnal, where police had launched a raid at his relative's house in Dabri village. According to reports, his supporters allegedly opened fire and pelted stones at police personnel during the operation, allowing him to escape in two SUVs.
MLA calls Punjab CM 'inexperienced'
In a video interview with an overseas Punjabi YouTube channel after reaching Australia, Pathanmajra confirmed his location and launched a scathing attack on Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and the AAP leadership. Calling the CM "inexperienced", he alleged that Punjab ministers and MLAs had become "dummies" before the Delhi leadership. "In the Punjab government, an MLA has no value -- not even worth five paise," he said.
The legislator also accused the Mann government of lying to the people, claiming that women in Punjab had not received the promised Rs 1,000 allowance while the party was making new promises of Rs 3,000 in Bihar. He added that he would return to India only after securing bail and denied the allegations against him, calling them a "political conspiracy".
FIR against MLA on September 1
An FIR against Pathanmajra was registered on September 1 at Patiala's Civil Lines police station based on a complaint by a Zirakpur-based woman. The woman alleged that the MLA misled her by claiming to be divorced, developed a relationship with her, and married her in 2021 while still married to his first wife. She further accused him of sexual assault, threats, and sending obscene material.
The case has embarrassed the Punjab Police, which had been conducting raids for weeks to locate the absconding legislator. Patiala Police have initiated proceedings to declare him a proclaimed offender after repeated failure to appear before the court.