Punjab Police apprehended Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, a Punjab MLA wanted for rape, after he had escaped custody in September. This marks the second arrest of an AAP legislator this week, with Laljit Bhullar being the first one arrested on Monday for abetment to suicide. Pathanmajra’s anticipatory bail plea was rejected by a Patiala court on October 9, 2025, leading to his evasion since being accused of rape on September 2, 2025.
The case against Pathanmajra, a first-time legislator from Sanaur, includes charges of rape, cheating, and criminal intimidation. He fled from his relative’s house in Karnal on September 2, 2025, just as the Punjab Police arrived to arrest him. Pathanmajra denies allegations of firing at the police during the arrest attempt.
In video messages from an undisclosed location, Pathanmajra criticized AAP’s Central leadership, claiming he was escaping a planned “fake encounter.” He also criticized his government’s response to floods in Patiala, accusing senior officials of neglecting flood prevention measures. The state police had previously booked 15 aides of Pathanmajra for harboring him, while Haryana Police filed charges against him and his relative for obstructing official duties and escaping custody.
Residents of Dabri village in Karnal reported that Punjab Police detained 14 members of Pathanmajra’s relative’s family in connection with the case.
