• Source:JND
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Punjab AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Dhillon Pathanmajra on Tuesday fired and fled police custody while being taken to a local police station after his arrest in a rape case. According to an FIR filed in the matter, Pathanmajra was booked on charges of rape, cheating, and criminal intimidation. He and his accomplices allegedly fired at the police while fleeing and even ran over one police personnel, injuring him. Police are currently chasing him, according to ANI.

AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Dhillon Pathanmajra Lawyer On His Arrest 

Reacting to the arrest, Pathanmajra’s lawyer, Advocate Simranjeet Singh Saggu, alleged that the case was politically motivated. He pointed out that the Punjab and Haryana High Court had earlier ordered an inquiry under the DIG, Ropar Range, yet a fresh FIR was filed despite the complainant admitting to being in a live-in relationship with the MLA and even expressing willingness to reconcile.

On the arrest of AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Dhillon Pathanmajra, his lawyer, Advocate Simranjeet Singh Saggu said, "An FIR has been registered against Harmeet Singh...A matter was pending before the High Court. The HC disposed it off and marked DIG Ropar Range for inquiry. But this FIR is the outcome of the change in political scenario in the past two days due to floods. This is against law, against facts and totally a tug of war between the political people and the bureaucracy. Section for rape and section 420 have been invoked. 

Saggu argued that slapping charges under Section 376 (rape) and Section 420 (cheating) was unjustified, calling it a fallout of recent political developments following the Punjab floods. He further claimed that the FIR reflects a power struggle between political leaders and the bureaucracy, raising concerns about the functioning of the system. The MLA is likely to be produced before the Patiala District Court.

“The complainant had filed the application before SSP Mohali and filed a writ before the High Court. All those allegations were submitted before the High Court by SSP Mohali by way of status report, the complainant herself admitted that she was in a live-in relationship with Harmeet Singh and that she is ready to continue if the relations improve. Even if this is the situation, sections 376 and 420 are being invoked. This raises a big question on the system's working...He will be produced before Patiala District Court," he added. 

Punjab AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Dhillon Pathanmajra Rape Case

The case was filed on the complaint of a Zirakpur-based woman, who alleged that AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Dhillon Pathanmajra misrepresented himself as divorced, entered into a relationship with her, and later married in 2021 while still being married. She accused him of ongoing sexual exploitation, threats, and sending obscene material. 

Following the FIR, Pathanmajra went live on Facebook, criticising the Punjab government and accusing the Delhi-based AAP leadership of illegitimately ruling Punjab, unlike the Congress or BJP leaderships, which he claimed did not interfere in state affairs. He appealed to fellow party MLAs for support, alleging that Punjab Police officials had come to arrest him.

"They can lodge FIRs against me, I can stay in jail, but my voice cannot be suppressed," said Pathanmajra.

Harmeet Singh Dhillon Pathanmajra On Punjab Flood Request 

On Sunday, AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Dhillon Pathanmajra accused a senior IAS officer of ignoring his repeated requests for desilting and cleaning rivers, particularly the Tangri River, warning that if the government failed to listen to the people, “they will thrash us.” He alleged that instead of fixing administrative lapses, the party was suppressing Punjab MLAs. Pathanmajra said he had raised the issue several times in the Assembly, submitted deputations, and personally met Principal Secretary (Water Resources) Krishan Kumar, but “not a single meaningful step was taken.” 

As floods hit several villages in his constituency, he lashed out at bureaucrats for not allowing soil use near rivers to strengthen embankments and urged Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to remove Krishan Kumar. The next day, he claimed his security had been withdrawn and all SHOs and police post heads in his constituency had been transferred, adding that he had anticipated such action.

"I had already told my gunmen yesterday that they would be sent back. The Delhi leaders (of AAP) think they can scare me with vigilance or FIRs, but I will never bow down. I will stand like a rock with my people," he said.