Sandeep PathakWho had joined BJP from AAP along with six others a week ago.
Although sources close to the government confirmed the FIR, no one was willing to talk about it. No official statement on the nature of the charges was issued by the police till Saturday night, but sources said Pathak faced non-bailable charges.
Repeated attempts were made to contact DGP Gaurav Yadav and AAP state spokesperson Baltej Pannu, but no response was received. The person who answered Pathak’s phone said he was unavailable and said he was not aware of any FIR. While political speculations were rife, video footage emerged purportedly showing Pathak leaving through a back passage in a white SUV on Saturday, moments before Punjab Police arrived at his Pandara Park residence in Delhi.
Pathak, a former IIT-Delhi professor, was one of the key strategists of AAP during the 2022 assembly elections. A political debate erupted over the timing of the FIR, with the BJP and SAD alleging “political vendetta”. Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar said his party will not be intimidated by the FIR filed by the AAP government and alleged that the action was meant to “divert attention” from CM Bhagwant Mann’s alleged conduct in the assembly.
Jakhar said that people whom you once considered loyal are being negatively labeled overnight after they leave the party. He alleged that this was an attempt to put pressure on the remaining members and prevent further defections. SAD member Bikram Singh Majithia posted on Twitter, “Those who are different from AAP are being selectively targeted. Sandeep Pathak was once a trusted aide of Bhagwant Mann and power center Arvind Kejriwal...After switching of loyalties, the FIR under non-bailable sections points towards possible vendetta politics. From impact to scrutiny, the change raises serious questions.
Security was tightened and additional personnel were deployed outside Pathak’s house in Delhi. In the afternoon, Delhi Police teams were seen setting up barricades in the surrounding area as a precautionary measure.
BJP questioned AAP’s priorities regarding the deteriorating law and order situation in Punjab. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said the state is grappling with the drug problem and criminals are even targeting the offices of police officers.
