Punjab Police Intensify Interrogation of AAP MLA Over Evasion Funding in Rape Case
In a significant development, police in Patiala have commenced rigorous interrogation of Sanaur AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra to uncover the financial backing behind his seven-month evasion from the law in a high-profile rape case. The legislator, currently in a four-day police remand after his arrest in Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, in the early hours of Wednesday, is being questioned extensively regarding his assets and the logistical support that facilitated his prolonged escape.
Focus on Financial Network and Disputed Properties
Investigators are concentrating on Pathanmajra's financial network, which includes disputed properties in and around Patiala, a controversial land deal under scrutiny, and the funding sources that enabled his international travel and extended stay abroad. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Varun Sharma emphasized, "The interrogation is at a critical stage." Authorities are examining all technical and physical evidence, while investigative inputs and court records have been used to reconstruct his escape trail in detail.
Sequence of Events and International Escape
The sequence of events began on September 2, 2025, just one day after an FIR was registered at the Civil Lines police station in Patiala against the MLA. The complaint, filed by a Zirakpur-based woman, alleged rape, cheating, and fraudulent marriage. Police initially traced Pathanmajra to a relative's residence in Dabri village, Karnal, Haryana, where a Punjab Police raiding team was attacked by his supporters, allowing him to evade arrest.
Sources indicate that Pathanmajra then slipped into Nepal by land to bypass the lookout circular at airports. From Nepal, he reportedly traveled to Australia using a pre-existing valid visa. While abroad, he defied authorities by broadcasting video messages, denouncing the charges as a political conspiracy aimed at tarnishing his reputation.
Manhunt and Digital Tracking Leading to Arrest
The extensive manhunt concluded on the night of March 24 near Gwalior. Police sources revealed that despite Pathanmajra using multiple mobile numbers and a UK-based SIM card to avoid detection, he was ultimately tracked after logging into a hotel Wi-Fi network. This digital footprint enabled a police team led by SP Vaibhav Chaudhary to pinpoint his location and apprehend him, marking the end of his evasion.
Legal Proceedings and Court Actions
Pathanmajra's counsel stated that the Supreme Court disposed of the MLA's petition on Wednesday, declaring it infructuous following his arrest. The plea had sought a stay on proclaimed offender proceedings and protection from arrest. Earlier, his anticipatory bail plea was rejected by a Patiala district court in September 2025, with another dismissal in December—the same month he was officially declared a proclaimed offender.
Earlier this year, the Punjab and Haryana High Court dismissed his petition challenging arrest warrants and the proclaimed offender declaration, strongly questioning the conduct of a sitting legislator who evaded due process and fled abroad. This legal scrutiny underscores the gravity of the case and the ongoing efforts to ensure accountability.
The interrogation continues as police delve deeper into the financial aspects, aiming to bring clarity to the funding mechanisms that supported Pathanmajra's evasion and to uphold justice in this contentious matter.
