Chandigarh, March 25: Punjab Police apprehended Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, a fugitive MLA accused of rape, on Wednesday. Pathanmajra had dramatically escaped police custody last September and had been evading arrest since then.
This marks the second arrest of a ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) legislator this week. Previously, former Transport Minister Laljit Bhullar was arrested on Monday in connection with a case of abetting a government official’s suicide.
Earlier, a trial court in Patiala had denied Pathanmajra’s anticipatory bail plea for the second consecutive time on October 9, 2025. He had been on the run since a rape case was filed against him on September 2, 2025.
The police registered a case against the first-time MLA from Sanour on September 1, 2025, accusing him of rape, fraud, and criminal intimidation. The 50-year-old legislator fled from his relative’s home in Dabri village, Karnal, when a police team arrived to arrest him in connection with the rape allegations.
Pathanmajra’s team has denied claims that police officers were shot at during the arrest attempt.
In two video messages released from an undisclosed location, Pathanmajra criticized the AAP’s central leadership, alleging that he was targeted by a “Delhi lobby.” He claimed he fled after learning he would be killed in a “fake encounter.”
He also criticized his own government for its handling of flood management in Patiala, accusing senior irrigation department officials, including a senior IAS officer, of ignoring repeated requests to dredge rivers to prevent flooding in villages.
Previously, state police filed a case against 15 of the fugitive MLA’s associates for allegedly providing him shelter. Haryana Police also registered a case against AAP MLA Pathanmajra and his relative, Gurnam Singh Ladi, for obstructing official duty, escaping custody, and other charges.
Residents of Dabri village in Karnal alleged that Punjab Police teams had “picked up” 14 family members of Ladi in connection with this case.
Arpit Soni has had a passion for journalism since the beginning. Now he has turned this hobby into his profession. Arpit, who is a resident of Udaipur, enjoys editing and writing news related to journalism. He has worked as a Senior Content Producer in several important roles at Bhaskar, Patrika, Pratahkal, Punjab Kesari, and Times. Arpit completed his schooling in Udaipur and Jaipur. He has been working in the media industry for more than 10 years, and his journey is still continuing. ✍️📚
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