Held on rape charge, AAP MLA flees police custody

IN a dramatic development, Punjab's AAP MLA from Sanaur, Harmeet Singh Dhillon, aka Pathanmajra, escaped custody on Tuesday after the Patiala Police arrested him on charges of rape and cheating.

- HARPREET BAJWA @Chandigarh

A reported exchange of fire and injury to a police officer upon one of the escaping vehicles hitting him were the highlights of the escape.

The incident followed Pathanmajra's criticism on Sunday of his own government's handling of the recent floods in Patiala. The MLA claimed repeated warnings about the need to desilt rivers like the Tangri and Ghaggar were ignored by senior officials under political directions, worsening the damage in villages. He said that despite raising the issue in the assembly, filing deputations, and personally meeting officials, no action was taken.