25 March,2026 02:35 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra. File Pic
Punjab Police have arrested Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, more than six months after he escaped police custody in an alleged rape case, reported the PTI.
According to the news agency, the officials said the arrest took place late Tuesday night. The MLA, who represents Sanour in Patiala district, has been brought back to Punjab and will be produced before a court in Patiala. Senior Superintendent of Police Varun Sharma confirmed the development.
The case against Pathanmajra was registered on September 1, 2025, at a police station in Patiala. A woman from Zirakpur accused him of rape, cheating and criminal intimidation.
According to the complaint, the MLA allegedly misrepresented himself as a divorcee and entered into a relationship with the woman. She claimed that he later married her in 2021 while already being married. The complainant also accused him of continued sexual exploitation, threats and sending obscene material.
Pathanmajra had been absconding since September 2, 2025, when he escaped from police custody. The incident took place in Karnal, Haryana, where police had gone to arrest him.
At the time, police alleged that his supporters created chaos by pelting stones and firing gunshots, allowing him to flee. However, Pathanmajra denied these claims and said he ran away because he feared a "fake encounter," as reported by PTI. After his escape, he was declared a proclaimed offender, and a look-out notice was issued against him.
While on the run, Pathanmajra appeared in video interviews and denied all allegations. He described the case as a "political conspiracy" and claimed he would return only after securing bail.
He also criticised the party leadership, alleging that important decisions were being taken without consulting ministers and MLAs. In another video, he claimed he was being targeted for raising issues related to governance and administrative decisions.
Punjab Police formed multiple teams, including members from the Anti-Gangster Task Force, to track him down. Raids were conducted across several states, including Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, and Delhi.
After months of search operations, the police finally located and arrested him in Gwalior. Further investigation in the case is ongoing.
(With PTI Inputs)
