Chandigarh, The Punjab Police on Wednesday arrested AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra from Gwalior in Madhya Pradesh, ending a months-long search in a rape case registered last year.

Pathanmajra, a first-time MLA from Sanour, had been absconding since September 2025 and was declared a proclaimed offender after repeatedly failing to appear before the authorities.

Patiala SSP Varun Sharma confirmed that the MLA has been taken into custody and is being brought back to Patiala, where he will be produced before a court.

Case Registered in September 2025

The case against Pathanmajra was registered on September 1, 2025, at the Civil Lines police station in Patiala under charges of rape, cheating and criminal intimidation.

It was based on a complaint by a Zirakpur-based woman, who alleged that the MLA misrepresented himself as a divorcee, entered into a relationship with her and later married her in 2021 despite already being married.

The complainant further accused him of sexual exploitation, threats and sending obscene material.

Declared Proclaimed Offender

After he failed to join the investigation, Pathanmajra was declared a proclaimed offender and a look-out notice was issued against him. Police teams had been tracking him across multiple states during the search operation.

Earlier Escape from Custody

Pathanmajra had evaded arrest shortly after the case was registered. On September 2, 2025, he allegedly escaped when a Punjab Police team reached Dabri village in Karnal, Haryana, to arrest him. Police had claimed that gunshots were fired, and his supporters pelted stones during the operation. However, Pathanmajra had denied the allegations, claiming he fled because he feared he would be killed in a “fake encounter”.

Brought to Patiala for Further Proceedings

With his arrest now confirmed, police said further legal proceedings will follow, including his production before a court in Patiala. The case had drawn significant attention in Punjab’s political circles, as the MLA remained on the run for several months before being traced and arrested.