The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has strongly condemned the Punjab government following the registration of non-bailable FIRs against Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak, shortly after his exit from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
Ashwani Sharma, the Working President of BJP Punjab, characterised the legal action as a blatant act of political vendetta and an attempt by the Bhagwant Mann-led administration to transform Punjab into a “police state” where dissent is punished with legal harassment.
Sharma alleged that the timing of the cases, which reportedly involve allegations of corruption and exploitation, clearly indicates that the state police are being utilised as a political tool by the top leadership of AAP to silence those who challenge their authority.
The controversy follows a major political shift on April 25, 2026, when Sandeep Pathak, along with six other AAP Rajya Sabha MPs, including Raghav Chadha and Ashok Mittal, formally joined the BJP in New Delhi.
Also Read: Punjab Police file FIRs, begin arrest push against Sandeep Pathak days after AAP to BJP switch
Following the registration of the non-bailable cases, a team from the Punjab Police reportedly reached Pathak’s residence in Delhi to effect an arrest. According to reports, Pathak left his residence shortly before the news of the FIRs became public, avoiding immediate media interaction as he departed in his vehicle. While the Punjab Police and government spokespersons have yet to issue an official response, the BJP has labelled the move as a shameful attempt to execute a political agenda under the guise of law.
The BJP leadership has further highlighted that this is not an isolated incident, pointing to recent administrative actions against other defectors, such as the pollution board raids on the industrial units of MP Rajinder Gupta.
Ashwani Sharma asserted that the BJP would not be intimidated by such “dictatorial tactics” and pledged to confront these actions through both legal and democratic means. The party maintains that the registration of serious, non-bailable charges immediately after a high-profile defection exposes the fear and desperation within the current Punjab government.