Punjab AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra was booked in an alleged rape, cheating, and criminal intimidation case and, after being taken into custody in Karnal/Patiala on September 2, 2025, reportedly opened fire at police, ran over an officer, and fled the scene, triggering a manhunt.
The episode combines criminal allegations, political infighting, and a dramatic escape that raises questions about law and order, police custody procedures, and the use of criminal complaints in intra-party battles. Pathanmajra’s high-profile status as a legislator means the incident has immediate political consequences for the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab and for public trust in institutions handling sensitive cases.
What police say happened—escape and pursuit
Police teams arrived at a relative’s home in Karnal early on Tuesday to arrest Pathanmajra after a woman from Zirakpur filed a complaint alleging the MLA had misrepresented himself as divorced, entered into a relationship, and later married her in 2021 while still married—charges that, according to the FIR, include rape (IPC 376), cheating, and criminal intimidation. Authorities say that while he was being taken to the station, Pathanmajra and his aides allegedly fired at officers, injured a policeman, and used a Scorpio and a Fortuner during the escape; police recovered the Fortuner, but the legislator remained at large at the time of reporting. A manhunt involving local units was underway.
Political backdrop—dissent inside AAP and prior controversies
The arrest came days after Pathanmajra publicly criticized his party’s state leadership over flood relief, accusing a “Delhi lobby” of interfering in Punjab affairs—remarks he made in a Facebook Live before the police action. He has a history of domestic controversies: in 2022, a woman accused him of marrying her without divorcing his first wife and filed complaints alleging assault and deception. Those earlier allegations resurfaced in media accounts after the new FIR was lodged. The timing of the arrest has prompted Pathanmajra to allege a political vendetta; AAP leaders have so far trodden carefully in public comments.
Legal and policing implications—custody, evidence, and charges
Legally, the charges in the FIR are serious and, if proven, carry severe penalties. Police will need to establish the complainant’s account through medical reports, witness statements, and documentary evidence; the process includes forensic examination and a judicial hearing if the accused is produced before a magistrate. Separately, the alleged firing at police and the reported attempt to run over an officer may bring additional non-bailable charges and a separate criminal case for assault on public servants. Investigating and prosecuting such intertwined allegations will require careful evidence-gathering and chain-of-custody preservation—a challenge in any high-profile, politically charged case.
Timeline—from complaint to chase (summary)
- Aug 2021–2022: Earlier complaints and domestic controversy involving a second marriage and allegations of cheating surfaced in local media.
- Late Aug/early Sep 2025: A woman from Zirakpur filed a fresh complaint alleging rape, cheating, and intimidation; police registered an FIR under IPC 376 and related sections.
- Sept 2, 2025: Police moved to arrest Pathanmajra in Karnal; during custody transfer he allegedly opened fire and fled, injuring an officer; vehicles used in the escape were partially recovered, and a manhunt was launched.
What’s next—investigation, courts, and political fallout?
Police have launched an active search and will likely seek Central or interstate assistance to recapture the MLA; charges for attempted murder or assault on public servants could be added pending medical reports. Once arrested or surrendered, Pathanmajra would be produced before a magistrate, where the police can seek judicial remand. Politically, the case could force AAP to make disciplinary decisions and will be used by opponents to question the party’s internal discipline and governance in Punjab. Observers warn that partisan rhetoric may complicate fact-finding unless investigators maintain strict procedural neutrality.
Attribution & sources
This story draws on contemporaneous reporting by NDTV, Hindustan Times, The Tribune, India Today, and Times of India, which detailed the FIR’s allegations, the reported firing and escape, the vehicles seized, and the background controversies involving Pathanmajra. Key factual claims above are based on those outlets’ coverage and official statements quoted therein.
Conclusion
The Pathanmajra episode is a volatile mix of alleged sexual violence, an alleged violent escape from police custody, and an active manhunt—all unfolding against a backdrop of intra-party dissent. For justice to be served and public confidence preserved, investigators must move swiftly and transparently, courts must process evidence impartially, and political actors should refrain from inflaming the situation. The coming days—arrests, forensic reports, and court proceedings—will determine whether this drama resolves into a clear criminal record or a prolonged legal and political struggle.
