Daijiworld Media Network - Chandigarh
Chandigarh, Sep 2: In a shocking development, Harmeet Pathanmajra, AAP MLA from Sanour in Punjab, escaped from police custody on Monday after opening fire on police personnel and running over a policeman, officials said. Police are now in pursuit of the MLA, who fled along with aides in two SUVs — a Scorpio and a Fortuner.
Pathanmajra was arrested earlier in Karnal in connection with a rape case, cheating, and criminal intimidation. While being taken to the local police station, he and his aides reportedly fired at the police team. When a cop tried to intervene, he was run over by the fleeing vehicle. Authorities later intercepted the Fortuner, but the MLA was in the other SUV and remains at large.
The FIR was filed by a 45-year-old divorced woman who alleged that Pathanmajra deceived her by claiming he was divorced and started a relationship with her around 2013. The two married at a gurdwara in Ludhiana in 2021, but in 2022, she discovered that Pathanmajra had listed his first wife in his election affidavit while contesting the state polls from Sanour. She accused the MLA of sexual exploitation, threats, and sending obscene material.
Pathanmajra had previously criticised his party’s handling of floods in Punjab. After the FIR, he went live on Facebook, asserting that he would not be silenced despite legal action. He alleged that the AAP leadership in Delhi was 'illegitimately ruling over Punjab', and claimed his security was withdrawn after he raised criticism. "They can lodge FIRs against me, I can stay in jail, but my voice cannot be suppressed,” he said.
He added that he had informed his security personnel about their withdrawal, but vowed to stand firm: “The Delhi leaders think they can scare me with vigilance or FIRs, but I will never bow down. I will stand like a rock with my people.” Earlier, he had warned that the state government must listen to the public, or they “will thrash us.”
Police teams continue to pursue the MLA and his aides, while the investigation into the case remains ongoing.