CHANDIGARH / DELHI — The political landscape of Punjab is in a state of high friction following the registration of two FIRs under non-bailable sections against Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak. The move comes just one week after Pathak, once the chief strategist and a “Chanakya” figure for Arvind Kejriwal, led a mass defection of seven MPs from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Police Action and Attempted Arrest
On Saturday, May 2, 2026, a specialized team of the Punjab Police arrived in the national capital with the intent to take Pathak into custody. The team reached his residence in Pandara Park, Delhi; however, Pathak had reportedly vacated the premises shortly before their arrival.
In response to the Punjab Police’s presence, the Delhi Police deployed significant forces outside Pathak’s home, with the SHO of Tilak Marg leading the security detail. Speaking briefly to media via phone, Pathak claimed he had “absolutely no information” regarding the FIRs.
The Charges: Corruption and Harassment
While official details remain closely guarded, sources indicate that the FIRs were registered in two separate districts of Punjab. The allegations reportedly involve:
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Corruption: Misuse of influence during his tenure as a senior AAP strategist.
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Harassment: Allegations involving the harassment of women.
The timing of these cases—filed within days of his April 25 switch to the BJP—has triggered a firestorm of “political vendetta” allegations from the opposition.
Opposition Slams “Police State” Tactics
The BJP and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) have hit back at Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, accusing him of using the state police as a personal weapon.
“As soon as Sandeep Pathak left AAP and joined BJP, non-bailable FIRs were registered. This shows that Kejriwal and Bhagwant Mann are using the police as a political weapon. It is the politics of fear and panic,” stated Ashwani Sharma, Punjab BJP Working President.
Bikram Singh Majithia of the Akali Dal also questioned the sudden legal scrutiny:
“Pathak was once a trusted aide and a key power center. If he was wrong then, he was following his bosses. Why are they not being booked now? From ‘Hero to Zero,’ this shift raises serious questions about the fairness of the investigation.”
Wider Crackdown on Defectors
Pathak is not the only defector facing heat. Other prominent figures who joined the BJP alongside him are also seeing state action:
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Trident Group Raid: On April 30, a 30-member Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) team raided the industrial unit of MP Rajinder Gupta. The High Court has since granted interim relief, staying any coercive action until May 4.
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Security Withdrawal: Former cricketer and MP Harbhajan Singh recently moved the High Court after the state withdrew his security cover, an act he claims led to a subsequent mob attack on his residence.
Who is Sandeep Pathak?
A PhD holder from the University of Cambridge and a former IIT Delhi faculty member, Pathak was instrumental in AAP’s landslide victory in the 2022 Punjab Assembly elections. However, reports suggest he grew disillusioned after the 2025 Delhi election losses and his subsequent removal as Punjab party in-charge.
As the legal battle moves to the courts, the political temperature in Punjab continues to rise, with the state government now facing a confidence motion and intensified scrutiny from the central leadership.
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