Sandeep Pathak Booked in Punjab FIRs After BJP Switch, Arrest Looms

Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament (MP) Sandeep Pathak has been booked in two First Information Reports (FIRs) under non-bailable sections by the Punjab Police in two different districts of the state. This development comes merely days after Pathak, a former leader of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), defected to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), a move that has significantly escalated political tensions in Punjab and Delhi. The timing of these FIRs has ignited a political firestorm, with both the BJP and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) vehemently alleging that the cases are a result of "political vendetta" orchestrated by the AAP-led state government. Pathak was among a group of seven Rajya Sabha MPs, including prominent figures like Raghav Chadha, who recently announced their departure from AAP and merged their parliamentary group with the BJP on April 24, 2026. Reports indicate that a team from the Punjab Police arrived at Pathak's residence in Pandara Park, Delhi, on Saturday, May 2, 2026, with the intent of arresting him. However, Pathak was reportedly seen leaving his home shortly before the police's arrival, sparking speculation of an evasion. Security personnel from the Delhi Police were subsequently deployed outside his residence, with the Station House Officer (SHO) of Tilak Marg Police Station and other officers present to tighten security in the area. Government sources suggest that an arrest could be imminent due to the non-bailable nature of the charges. The specific allegations against Sandeep Pathak, according to various media reports, include charges related to the harassment of women and corruption. However, official details from the Punjab Police regarding the FIRs have not yet been fully disclosed. Pathak, when approached for comment, reportedly denied any knowledge of the FIRs and stated that he has served the nation with honesty and integrity throughout his life, implying the charges might be politically motivated. The political implications of Pathak's defection and the subsequent legal action are significant. Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma has strongly condemned the AAP government, accusing it of misusing the police machinery as a "political weapon" against its opponents. Sharma further stated that the move reflects "fear and panic" within the AAP leadership and that the Mann government is attempting to turn Punjab into a "police state" where dissent is met with legal cases. Senior SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia echoed these sentiments, questioning why no action was taken against Pathak earlier when he was part of the AAP leadership, suggesting selective targeting. This entire episode unfolds shortly after the Bhagwant Mann-led AAP government successfully secured a confidence motion in the Punjab Assembly, further intensifying the political standoff. The timing of the FIRs, immediately following Pathak's high-profile switch to the BJP, has led to widespread accusations of political reprisal from opposition parties. Pathak's departure, along with six other Rajya Sabha MPs (Raghav Chadha, Ashok Mittal, Harbhajan Singh, Rajinder Gupta, Vikramjit Sahney, and Swati Maliwal, though Maliwal is not an MP from Punjab), has dealt a blow to AAP's strength in the Upper House, reducing their tally from ten to three members. These MPs cited disillusionment with AAP's direction and a belief that the party had strayed from its core principles as reasons for their defection. The situation remains fluid, with the possibility of further legal and political developments as the BJP and SAD pledge to challenge the actions both legally and democratically. The controversy highlights the cut-throat nature of Indian politics, especially in a state like Punjab, where inter-party rivalries are often intense.

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