Patiala, March 25: Punjab Police on Wednesday apprehended Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra, a member of the Legislative Assembly who had been evading authorities since September 2025. The arrest occurred in Patiala after the lawmaker was declared a proclaimed offender by the court in a case involving allegations of rape, cheating, and criminal intimidation.
The legislator becomes the second high-profile political figure in the state to be taken into custody within a 48-hour window. His arrest follows the Monday detention of former transport minister Laljit Bhullar, who faces charges related to an abetment to suicide case. Pathanmajra had been the subject of a lookout notice as law enforcement tracked his movements over the last several months.
Authorities confirmed that the legal process moved forward after the MLA failed to appear before the court, leading to his status as a fugitive. A Punjab government spokesperson stated that the Patiala police successfully located the accused after a sustained effort. The spokesperson affirmed that the individual is currently in custody and will be produced before a magistrate for further proceedings.
The initial FIR against the lawmaker was registered last year, leading to a prolonged investigation. Officials maintained that the lookout circular played a vital role in preventing the accused from leaving the jurisdiction while the search continued.
