AAP MLA Pathanmajra booked: FIR charges, woman's complaint and political fallout explained

As the Aam Aadmi Party MLA from Sanaur in Patiala district, Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, has been booked under the charge of rape, here are the key points related to the case, the FIR and its political backdrop:

The case has been registered amid Pathanmajra's sharp criticism of his own party's state government over floods and central leadership.

According to the FIR, Pathanmajra has been booked on charges of rape, cheating, and criminal intimidation.

Case has been registered on a complaint by a Zirakpur-based woman, who alleged that the MLA misrepresented himself as divorced.

She alleged that the MLA entered into a relationship with her and later married in 2021 while still being married.

The woman accused him of continued sexual exploitation, threats, and sending “obscene” material to her.

After the FIR, Pathanmajra went live on Facebook, strongly criticising the Punjab government and alleging that Delhi-based AAP leadership was “illegitimately ruling over Punjab.”

Here's the detailed FIR copy:

On Sunday, the Sanaur MLA also accused a senior IAS officer of not taking such actions as desilting and cleaning rivers, particularly the Tangri River, despite his requests.

Pathanmajra said the government should listen to people or they “will thrash us.” He also alleged the party was trying to suppress Punjab MLAs instead of fixing the administration.

The MLA said he raised the issue in the Punjab Assembly several times, submitted deputations, and personally met Principal Secretary (Water Resources) Krishan Kumar several times, but “not a single meaningful step was taken.”

On Monday, Pathanmajra claimed that his security had been withdrawn and that all station house officers and police post heads in his constituency had been transferred.

“I had already told my gunmen yesterday that they would be sent back. The Delhi leaders (of AAP) think they can scare me with vigilance (action) or FIRs, but I will never bow down. I will stand like a rock with my people,” he said. — with PTI