FIRs filed against Sandeep Pathak in Punjab
Chandigarh: Two First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered against Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak in Punjab, days after he resigned from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), according to government sources.
Officials indicated that the cases have been filed under non-bailable sections, though the exact charges remain unclear. Punjab Police has reportedly initiated efforts to locate and arrest the MP. On Saturday, Pathak was seen leaving his residence in Delhi without addressing media queries.
Pathak is among seven Rajya Sabha MPs who recently exited AAP to join the BJP. The others include Raghav Chadha, Swati Maliwal, Rajinder Gupta, Vikramjit Sahney, Harbhajan Singh, and Ashok Mittal. With most of these MPs representing Punjab, their departure has significantly reduced AAP’s strength in the Rajya Sabha from 10 to just three-dealing a major setback ahead of upcoming state elections.
Pathak played a key role in AAP’s organizational efforts in Punjab and is widely credited with contributing to the party’s decisive victory over the Indian National Congress in the 2022 Assembly elections.
Allegations of Political Vendetta
The FIRs come shortly after action against another former AAP leader, Rajinder Gupta. The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) recently conducted a raid at the Dhaula unit of Trident Group, founded by Gupta.
Officials stated that the inspection involved collecting samples of effluents and groundwater to ensure compliance with environmental norms. However, the BJP has termed the action “political vendetta,” alleging that Gupta was targeted for switching parties. Punjab BJP working president Ashwani Sharma claimed the raid was retaliatory in nature.
The AAP has rejected these allegations, maintaining that the PPCB’s visit was part of routine regulatory checks.
