Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, who is accused of rape, has reportedly fled to Australia after evading arrest for over two months. This development has caused significant embarrassment for the Punjab Police and the state government.
Pathanmajra, the MLA representing the Sanaur assembly constituency, is facing charges of rape, cheating, and criminal intimidation. The case was registered on September 1, following a complaint by a woman from Zirakpur who alleged that Pathanmajra misrepresented himself as divorced and sexually exploited her under the pretext of marriage. The woman further claimed that Pathanmajra married her in 2021 while already married and continued to threaten her and send obscene material.
The MLA had been on the run since September 2, after a police team attempted to arrest him in Karnal, Haryana. Pathanmajra allegedly escaped amidst stone-pelting and firing, purportedly by his supporters. Since then, the Punjab Anti-Gangster Task Force (AGTF) had been trying to locate and arrest him.
Confirming his escape, Pathanmajra appeared in a video interview with an Australia-based Punjabi web channel. During the interview, he stated that he is currently in Australia and would only return to India after securing bail. He also denied all allegations against him, claiming the case is a "political conspiracy". Pathanmajra accused the AAP's Delhi leadership of interfering in Punjab affairs and silencing voices that speak for Punjab's interests, alleging that ministers and MLAs in Punjab are not consulted on key matters and that freedom of speech is being curtailed. He also claimed he fled after learning that he would be killed in a "fake encounter".
Patiala police officials have stated that a look-out circular had been issued against the MLA. A senior police officer suggested that Pathanmajra might have escaped to a neighboring country before flying to Australia. The police have initiated proceedings to declare him a proclaimed offender (PO). A local court in Patiala has already initiated proclaimed offender proceedings against Pathanmajra after he repeatedly failed to appear before the police in connection with the rape case. A proclamation notice issued by the court directs him to appear before the court by November 12, failing which further legal action may be taken.
Despite the police efforts to apprehend him and the issuance of a look-out notice, Pathanmajra remained elusive. His appearance in the video interview from Australia has further embarrassed the Punjab Police, who have been conducting raids at his possible hideouts for weeks.
