A serious case involving Patiala district has once again come into the spotlight. Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, who is accused of rape, fraud, and threats, has now approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The MLA has been absconding from police custody for a long time.
The MLA is currently reported to be in Australia. He has filed a petition in the High Court from there. He has declared the arrest warrant issued against him, the order declaring him a fugitive, and the entire legal proceedings against him illegal. He has asked the court to quash all these orders.
In the petition, the MLA alleges that the police did not properly follow the rules. He alleges that he was declared a fugitive in a hurry while his anticipatory bail application was pending in court. He also questions why arrest warrants were issued.
This entire case was registered based on a complaint from a woman. She alleges that the MLA, under the pretense of promising her a government job, physically exploited her, defrauded her of money, and threatened to kill her. According to the woman, these incidents are approximately three years old.
Following the complaint, police launched an investigation, but the MLA allegedly failed to participate in the investigation and fled the country. Following this, a court issued an arrest warrant against him and later declared him a fugitive.
Hearing the MLA’s petition, the High Court sought responses from the state government and police. The court said it would examine the FIR, the arrest proceedings, and the order declaring him a fugitive.
This case has caused a stir in Punjab politics. Opposition parties have questioned the Aam Aadmi Party. However, no official statement has yet been issued by the party. All eyes are now on the next hearing in the High Court, which will determine whether the MLA receives any relief.