Punjab in Shock: AAP MLA Harmeet Pathanmajra Escapes Custody After Firing at Police
GG News Bureau
Chandigarh, 2nd Sept: In a dramatic turn of events that has left Punjab’s law and order situation under the scanner, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Harmeet Pathanmajra, arrested on charges of rape, has managed to escape police custody after allegedly opening fire on the very officers escorting him. The incident has triggered outrage across political circles, while raising uncomfortable questions over the efficiency of the state’s policing system.
According to initial reports, Pathanmajra was being escorted under tight security late Monday evening when he suddenly pulled out a firearm and opened fire at the police team. The chaos that followed allowed the legislator to escape. Though no casualties have been reported so far, the brazen nature of the escape has rattled authorities and sparked a manhunt across Punjab.
A Scandal-Tainted MLA
Pathanmajra’s arrest itself had already rocked the political landscape. The legislator, once considered a rising star in the AAP ranks, was taken into custody last week following allegations of rape lodged against him by a woman in Patiala. The arrest came as a major embarrassment for the ruling party, which had campaigned heavily on the promise of clean governance and zero tolerance for crime.
Now, with the MLA’s daring escape, the crisis has deepened. Critics argue that the incident is not just about an individual’s alleged crime but about the complete collapse of accountability within the system.
Political Firestorm
The opposition wasted no time in pouncing on the opportunity. Punjab Congress leaders slammed the AAP government for failing to ensure even the most basic law enforcement. “An elected MLA, accused of heinous crimes, fires on police and vanishes into thin air—this is not just a lapse, it is a disaster,” said one senior Congress leader. The Shiromani Akali Dal also demanded the immediate resignation of top officials, calling the escape a “shameful blot on Punjab’s governance.”
Within AAP itself, murmurs of dissent are growing. While the party leadership has so far remained tight-lipped, sources indicate growing frustration at how the incident has given opposition forces a powerful weapon against them.
Police Under Fire
Questions are now being raised on how Pathanmajra managed to obtain a firearm while in custody, and why the police escort was unable to prevent his escape. Senior police officials admitted to “serious lapses” and have suspended several officers pending an inquiry.
Meanwhile, a statewide manhunt has been launched. Police teams have been deployed along highways and at state borders, while alerts have been issued in neighboring Haryana, Rajasthan, and Himachal Pradesh. Authorities have warned the public not to approach the fugitive MLA, who is believed to be armed and dangerous.
Public Outrage and Fear
For ordinary citizens, the episode is both frightening and frustrating. “If an MLA can walk out of custody by shooting at police, what chance does a common man have?” asked one resident of Patiala. Social media platforms have exploded with anger, with hashtags like #AAPMLAEscape and #PunjabLawAndOrder trending nationwide.
What Next?
The incident has left the AAP government in Punjab facing its most severe credibility test yet. With both political opponents and the public baying for accountability, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann is expected to issue a statement soon.
But until Harmeet Pathanmajra is tracked down and brought back to justice, the image of an armed legislator outsmarting the police will remain a dark stain on Punjab’s already fragile law and order narrative.
