Two FIRs against defector MP Sandeep Pathak? Punjab cops won’t say

CHANDIGARH/NEW DELHI: Punjab police are believed to have filed two FIRs against Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak, who switched from AAP to BJP a week ago along with six others.

While sources close to govt confirmed the FIRs, no one was willing to talk about it. No official statement on the nature of the allegations had been issued by the police till Saturday night but sources said Pathak faced non-bailable charges.

Repeated attempts to contact DGP Gaurav Yadav and AAP state spokesperson Baltej Pannu went unanswered. The person who answered Pathak’s phone said he was not available and said he didn’t know about any FIR. While political speculation swirled, video footage emerged purportedly showing Pathak leaving through a rear exit in a white SUV on Saturday, some time before Punjab police arrived at his Pandara Park residence in Delhi.

Pathak, a former IIT-Delhi professor, was one of the key strategists for AAP during the 2022 assembly election. The timing of the FIRs triggered a political debate, with BJP and SAD alleging “political vendetta”. Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar said his party would not be intimidated by FIRs filed by the AAP govt, and alleged these actions were meant to “divert attention” from CM Bhagwant Mann’s alleged conduct in the assembly.

Jakhar said those who were once considered loyal by AAP are being labelled negatively overnight after they left the party. This is an attempt to build pressure on remaining members and prevent further defections, he alleged.SAD member Bikram Singh Majithia posted on X, “Selective targeting of those who fall out with AAP. Sandeep Pathak was once a trusted aide of Bhagwant Mann and Arvind Kejriwal, a key power centre... After shifting loyalties, FIRs under non-bailable sections point to possible vendetta politics. From influence to investigation, the shift raises serious questions.”

Security was tightened and additional personnel were deployed outside Pathak’s home in Delhi. In the afternoon, Delhi police teams were seen placing barricades in the vicinity as part of precautionary arrangements.

BJP questioned AAP’s priorities in what it alleged was a deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said the state has been battling a drug menace and criminals had been targeting offices of even police officers.