RS MP Sandeep Pathak Booked In Punjab Under Non-Bailable Sections After Leaving AAP
RS MP Sandeep Pathak booked in non-bailable FIRs after AAP exit.
The Punjab Police have registered two FIRs under non-bailable sections against Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak in separate districts, just days after his reported exit from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and subsequent alignment with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to sources. Officials have not yet disclosed the specific details or allegations contained in the cases. The development has, however, triggered a fresh round of political controversy in the state, with opposition parties alleging that the legal action is politically motivated.
The FIRs come in the backdrop of a significant political shift earlier this month, when Pathak was among seven AAP Rajya Sabha MPs who resigned from the party on April 24. Reports suggest that the group later merged with the BJP, a move that has altered the balance of representation in the Upper House and weakened AAP’s numerical strength.
The timing of the police action has drawn strong reactions from political rivals of the ruling Aam Aadmi Party in Punjab. Leaders from the BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have accused the state government of using law enforcement agencies to target political opponents following their defection.
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Punjab BJP working President Ashwani Sharma alleged that the registration of non-bailable cases immediately after Pathak’s shift to the BJP reflects a pattern of intimidation. In a post on social media platform X, he described the development as an example of “politics of fear, panic and vendetta,” claiming that the state leadership was misusing police powers.
Separately, SAD General Secretary Bikram Singh Majithia also criticised the action, calling it selective targeting of leaders who leave AAP. He questioned the timing of the FIRs, suggesting that no such action was taken while Pathak was associated with the party, despite his earlier proximity to its leadership.
As political tensions escalate, the controversy has added to ongoing friction between the ruling party and opposition groups in Punjab, with both sides trading allegations over the use of state institutions for political purposes. Authorities have not yet issued an official clarification regarding the charges or investigation details.
Also Read: AAP To Approach Rajya Sabha Chairman Over Disqualification Of Defected MPs
