A fugitive lawmaker from India’s ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in Punjab has fled to Australia, triggering a political uproar and raising diplomatic questions over cross-border accountability.
Harmit Singh Pathanmajra, the MLA representing Sanour in Punjab, is wanted by the Indian state of Punjab’s police in connection with an alleged rape and cheating case filed in September.
Despite multiple police raids and a lookout notice, Pathanmajra managed to leave India and has now surfaced in Adelaide, South Australia, where he appeared in a video interview defending himself and vowing not to return until he secures bail.
The development has caused deep embarrassment for the Punjab government and its police force, which have come under scrutiny for failing to prevent his escape.
Pathanmajra said in a video aired by an Australia-based Punjabi channel,
“I will return to Punjab only after getting bail.”
He dismissed the accusations as a “political conspiracy” designed to silence his criticism of AAP’s leadership, claiming, “Freedom of speech is being curtailed and honest voices are being targeted.”
Allegations and escape
Pathanmajra, a first-term legislator, faces charges under sections of India’s penal code relating to rape, cheating, and criminal intimidation. The complaint, lodged by a woman from Zirakpur, accuses him of deceiving her by claiming to be divorced before entering into a relationship in 2021. She alleges that he was already married and later subjected her to sexual exploitation, threats, and harassment.
Police say that when officers tried to arrest Pathanmajra on September 2 from a farmhouse in Haryana, his supporters allegedly pelted stones and fired shots, helping him evade capture. A Patiala court later declared him an absconder after he skipped multiple hearings.
Pathanmajra has denied these allegations, telling Indian media he fled because he feared being “killed in a fake encounter.”
Embarrassment for Punjab’s AAP government
The Aam Aadmi Party, which governs Punjab, has not issued a formal statement on Pathanmajra’s disappearance, but party insiders have called the case “deeply unfortunate.” Opposition leaders in Punjab have accused Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s government of shielding its own MLA and failing to uphold the rule of law.
Critics say the incident undermines AAP’s claims of running a corruption-free and transparent administration.
“When a sitting MLA facing rape charges can flee the country, it shows complete collapse of policing and accountability,” said a senior opposition leader in Chandigarh.
Extradition and legal hurdles
Punjab Police have now sought assistance from India’s central agencies to verify Pathanmajra’s location in Australia and to explore possible extradition under existing bilateral treaties.
Law enforcement officials told The Australia Today that if confirmed, the case has been referred through diplomatic channels for cooperation from Australian authorities. “A lookout notice and proclamation order are already in place,” one officer said.
“Next steps will depend on his confirmed presence in Australia.”
A test of accountability
Law-enforcement experts also note that Pathanmajra’s escape underscores long-standing concerns about how powerful individuals evade arrest, often exploiting jurisdictional gaps between states. One senior officer commented,
“When an MLA flees abroad while charges are pending, it indicates systemic failure—not isolated misconduct.”
In Australia, Pathanmajra’s presence could also highlight how foreign nationals facing serious criminal charges are handled upon entering the country.
With Pathanmajra promising to “return only after getting bail,” the focus now shifts to whether New Delhi will move quickly to initiate extradition — and how Canberra will respond if asked for assistance.
Until then, the fugitive politician’s video message from Australia stands as both a political embarrassment for Punjab’s AAP government and a test of India’s ability to hold its public representatives accountable beyond its borders.
Support our Journalism
No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.
