Two non-bailable FIRs against Sandeep Pathak after his switch to BJP spark a major political row. Security tightened at his Delhi residence.
By AMIT KUMAR
New Delhi, May 2, 2026 — Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak, who recently quit the AAP to join the BJP, left his residence for an undisclosed location after the Punjab Police arrived in the national capital to arrest him. The Punjab Police registered two FIRs against Pathak, both for non-bailable offences.
Sources said that the FIRs were registered in two districts of Punjab for offences, including sexual crime and corruption. However, the state police have not yet officially stated the details of the crimes involving Pathak.
The beleaguered Rajya Sabha MP had turned turncoat along with six more, including Raghav Chadha, to join the BJP. All seven Rajya Sabha MPs of the Aam Adami Party (AAP) from Punjab had joined the BJP.
Security was heightened outside the Delhi residence of Sandeep Pathak on Saturday.
The FIRs intensified the legal troubles for Pathak soon after his high-profile political defection. Officials were learnt to have reached his residence in Delhi, but the MP reportedly left shortly before their arrival, raising speculation over possible arrest proceedings.
The cases reportedly include allegations of corruption as well as sexual exploitation of a woman, though there has been no official detailed statement from the police so far outlining the specifics of the charges. The developments have triggered a political storm, with parties trading sharp accusations.
The timing of the FIRs has drawn scrutiny, coming days after Pathak’s exit from AAP and entry into the BJP, a move that has already stirred tensions between the two parties. While the BJP has yet to issue a formal response, AAP leaders have remained largely guarded in their public comments.
Meanwhile, opposition leaders have weighed in on the controversy. Congress leader Srivatsa alleged that the episode reflects a pattern of “vendetta politics,” drawing a comparison with Rahul Gandhi. He claimed that despite facing political attacks and defections, Gandhi has refrained from pursuing personal or legal retaliation against former colleagues.
The situation remains fluid, with heightened security and political rhetoric adding to the uncertainty surrounding Pathak’s next move. It is unclear whether he will present himself before authorities or seek legal recourse in the coming days.
As investigations proceed, the case is expected to further intensify the ongoing political contest in Punjab and at the national level, especially given the high stakes involving party defections and allegations of misuse of state machinery.
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