Accused in a rape case, it is learnt that the Punjab AAP MLA Harmit Singh Pathanmajra, who has been on the run since September 2, fled to Australia. Harmit recently appeared in a video interview on Friday with an Australia-based Punjabi web channel, where he said that he would "return home only after securing bail". Even after raids at Harmit’s possible hideouts, the Sanour MLA remained elusive. This recent development in the case is being seen as an embarrassment for the police.
A look-out notice against the Aam Aadmi Party MLA has also been issued by the Patiala police. A case was registered against the AAP MLA at the Civil Lines police station on September 1 on the charges of rape, cheating, and criminal intimidation.
Patiala court has already initiated proclaimed offender proceedings against Pathanmajra after he failed to appear in connection with the rape case.
Harmit denies allegations -
Harmit, refuting the allegations, termed the case a "political conspiracy". He said the aim of these accusations against him is to silence voices that speak for Punjab's people. The AAP MLA expressed his full faith in the judiciary.
"In Punjab, ministers and MLAs are not consulted on key matters. Freedom of speech is being curtailed. After losing in Delhi, those leaders have now taken over Punjab, and they are ruining it the same way," he alleged.
AAP MLA escaped police custody when the Punjab police went to Karnal, Haryana, to arrest him. As per the police statement, at that time, gunshots were fired, and stones were pelted by the legislator's supporters after a team went to arrest him in the Dabri village of Karnal district, where he was at a relative’s place.
However, Pathanmajra denied being involved in the firing and had said he fled after learning that he would be killed in a "fake encounter".
The case was registered based on a complaint by a Zirakpur-based woman, who alleged that the MLA misrepresented himself as divorced, entered into a relationship with her, and later married in 2021 while already being married. She accused him of continued sexual exploitation, threats, and sending "obscene" material to her.
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