A court in Patiala has intensified the legal pursuit against a fugitive Aam Aadmi Party legislator, formally labeling him a proclaimed offender in a serious criminal case. The judicial move marks a significant escalation in efforts to apprehend the accused politician who has been evading authorities for months.
Court Order and Legal Proceedings
On Saturday, the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class Harjot Singh Gill issued the decisive order, declaring AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra a proclaimed offender. This legal status was invoked after the Sanaur legislator repeatedly failed to appear before the court despite official summons.
The court noted in its order that proclamation warrants issued against the accused were executed on October 15 and the mandatory waiting period of 30 days had since expired without his appearance. Consequently, the court directed that proceedings under Section 85 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita be registered as 'Criminal Miscellaneous' on the Case Information System.
A notice has been issued to the investigating officer for January 31, 2026, with directions to compile and submit a list of the proclaimed person's properties. This step is often a precursor to potential attachment of assets.
Background of the Case and MLA's Disappearance
The case stems from a complaint filed by a woman from Zirakpur, leading the Patiala police to register a First Information Report (FIR) against Pathanmajra on September 1. The FIR includes serious charges under various sections of law, encompassing rape, cheating, and criminal intimidation.
Pathanmajra, a first-time MLA elected in 2022 from the Sanaur assembly segment of Patiala district, turned fugitive the very next day on September 2. His evasion tactics gained notoriety when he reportedly fled from a police team in Karnal. While police initially claimed shots were fired during this escape attempt, the MLA later released a video on his social media accounts refuting this claim with what he presented as supporting CCTV evidence.
In his defense, Pathanmajra has consistently alleged that the charges are politically motivated, linking them to his criticism of AAP leaders and the party's handling of flood management. His legal counsel has confirmed that a bail application is being prepared for submission to the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Failed Bail Attempts and Police Manhunt
The legislator's attempts to secure pre-arrest bail have met with consistent rejection in lower courts, underscoring the judicial system's view of the case's severity. His initial anticipatory bail plea was rejected by a Patiala court in September. A revised plea met the same fate in October when the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class in Patiala dismissed it again, prompting his legal team to plan an approach to the higher court.
The police investigation and manhunt have been extensive. In November, a lookout notice was issued against Pathanmajra amid intelligence reports suggesting he might have fled to Australia. This led to search operations across multiple states. The Punjab Police deployed its specialized Anti-Gangster Task Force to secure his capture, but these efforts have so far been unsuccessful.
Adding another layer to the complex situation, Pathanmajra's wife approached the High Court in September seeking protection for her husband, expressing fears of a fake police encounter. The court subsequently sought a response from the Punjab government on her petition.
This is not the first controversy for the MLA. He has faced prior accusations of concealing his criminal history in election affidavits. The current proclamation as an offender represents the most serious legal escalation to date, putting immense pressure on both the fugitive legislator and the authorities tasked with bringing him to justice.
