Harmeet Singh Dhillon Pathanmajra, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA from Sanour, is currently on the run after reportedly escaping from police custody on Tuesday, following his arrest in connection with serious criminal charges including rape, cheating, and criminal intimidation.
The situation took a violent turn in Karnal, Haryana, where Pathanmajra, while being transported to a local police station, allegedly opened fire along with his aides. According to sources, a police officer sustained injuries during the exchange, and in a further act of aggression, a vehicle driven by the accused reportedly ran over another officer. Amid the chaos, Pathanmajra fled the scene in a Scorpio SUV, while another getaway vehicle a Fortuner was later seized by law enforcement.
Pathanmajra’s arrest stems from a complaint lodged by a woman from Zirakpur, who accused the MLA of deceiving her by falsely claiming to be divorced. The two reportedly began a relationship in 2013, eventually marrying in a gurdwara in Ludhiana in 2021. The complainant later discovered, through Pathanmajra’s 2022 election affidavit, that he was still legally married. She claims she was sexually exploited, threatened, and sent obscene content by the MLA. The FIR includes IPC sections 376, 420, and 506.
Pathanmajra Vanishes Moments Before Arrest in Haryana
Earlier on Tuesday, before the arrest attempt, police traced Pathanmajra to Dabri village in Karnal, at the residence of his relative Gurnam Singh Laadi, a member of the Haryana Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (HSGMC). However, by the time officers entered the premises, Pathanmajra had allegedly scaled a wall and escaped with local assistance.
In a Facebook Live broadcast following the FIR, Pathanmajra called the case politically orchestrated, targeting the Delhi-based leadership of his own party. “They can lodge FIRs against me, I can stay in jail, but my voice cannot be suppressed,” he declared defiantly.
His legal counsel, Advocate Simranjeet Singh Saggu, claimed the arrest was illegal, stating that the matter was already under judicial consideration and that a senior official had been assigned to investigate. Saggu also argued, “The complainant had filed an application at Mohali police station. The victim said she was in a live-in relationship with Pathanmajra and was willing to continue with the same arrangement.”
Desilting Dispute Deepens Rift in AAP
Tensions between Pathanmajra and the AAP government had been building in recent months, particularly over the state’s handling of flooding in Patiala. The legislator accused top bureaucrats of ignoring calls to desilt rivers like the Tangri, alleging this negligence exacerbated flooding in local villages. He further alleged political retaliation, claiming his police security was withdrawn and local officers were transferred without justification.
In a video released on the day of the arrest, Pathanmajra said: “I will not take this lying down.” He also accused the AAP high command of using coercive tactics to silence dissent. “They have booked me for rape. I knew this was coming… A kabaddi game has now ensued between Delhi and Punjab,” he said, hinting at an internal power struggle.
In a television interview, he went further, alleging that Delhi leaders of AAP are exerting control over Punjab MLAs through fear and manipulation. “They are keeping resignation letters safe… to pressurise MLAs to toe their line. They have been doing this to ministers from day one,” he claimed.
Pathanmajra Targets AAP High Command
Pathanmajra also urged supporters and fellow lawmakers to protest against the alleged misuse of power. “Ask them if Delhiwallas will rule us. Other parties also have high commands. They do not come and rule here,” he said, appealing to AAP workers to surround the offices of the Patiala SSP and Deputy Commissioner.
He also made inflammatory comments against Water Resources Principal Secretary Krishan Kumar, blaming him for the flood crisis. “We will do the silting on our own. We will widen it and deepen the bed of the Tangri River. If Krishan Kumar comes, then we will bury him in a ditch,” he threatened.
As the hunt for the fugitive legislator intensifies, police are now coordinating with Haryana authorities to initiate further legal action, including registering new cases related to the armed confrontation and the injuries inflicted on officers during his escape.
