Sanaur MLA Pathanmajra told to vacate govt house, Patiala court to hear plea

A three-member team comprising officials of the Patiala Development Authority, Public Works Department (Buildings and Roads) and Estate Office today visited the government house of rape accused AAP MLA from Sanaur Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, who is on the run.

On September 2, the government had served eviction notice to Pathanmajra’s wife Simranjit Kaur accusing the MLA of misusing his government accommodation, which was allotted to him on October 20, 2022, for political purpose. Later, she moved a local court, hearing for which is scheduled on Friday.

Officials inspected the accommodation situated at 9-C in Bhupindra Nagar following the application submitted by the MLA’s wife for use of official residence on account of health grounds.

The notice, which surfaced online today, pointed out large scale political gatherings at the quarter, causing inconvenience to other residents.

The notice further mentioned that the MLA had failed to submit rent receipts with the department concerned. It warned that the allotment can be cancelled under the Punjab Government House Allotment Rules, 1983. Pathanmajra was directed to submit his reply by September 5, failing which the House Allotment Committee, Patiala, could initiate eviction proceedings.

Advocate BS Bhullar, who’s representing Simranjit, dismissed the allegations as “baseless” and politically motivated. “Occasional visits by constituents to meet their elected representative cannot be termed misuse. The threatened eviction without due process of law, which includes serving a 30-day notice is arbitrary, discriminatory and unconstitutional,” he said. Pathanmajra had fled from a relative’s house in Karnal just as the Punjab Police went to arrest him on September 2.

He has been booked under charges of rape, cheating and criminal intimidation following a complaint by a Zirakpur-based woman.

On September 10, the local court had rejected his anticipatory bail plea.

Meanwhile, the local court today granted bail to Pathanmajra’s 10 of 11 aides, who had been arrested for harbouring him.