Govt seeks time to file reply regarding MP Sandeep Pathak’s plea in HC; hearing adjourned till October

July 3, 2026

A hearing took place today at the Punjab and Haryana High Court regarding the matter of whether an FIR has been registered in Punjab against Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak, who joined the BJP after leaving the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). The Punjab government was required to file a response in this case but has once again sought more time from the court to do so.

Sandeep Pathak’s lawyer, Arjun Sheoran, stated that the counsel representing the government was not present and had requested time to file the response. Acceding to this request, the court granted the government further time to respond. The next hearing is scheduled for October 17.

Advocate Arjun Sheoran noted that the orders issued by the court during the previous hearing would remain in effect until the next date. He pointed out that the case has been under hearing for two months, yet the government has still been unable to clarify whether or not an FIR has been registered against Sandeep Pathak.

Notably, reports had previously emerged regarding police raids aimed at arresting Sandeep Pathak—based on claims that an FIR had been registered against him in Punjab—with Punjab Police teams even reaching Delhi. However, the police were unable to arrest him.

On May 8, Sandeep Pathak filed a petition in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, alleging that the police were not providing him with details regarding the FIR registered against him. While hearing the petition, the court had stayed any coercive action against him.

Left AAP on April 24

Sandeep Pathak left the AAP and joined the BJP on April 24, 2026. Shortly thereafter, on May 2, the Punjab Police registered two non-bailable FIRs against him on charges of corruption and other offenses.

Fearing arrest, Pathak approached the High Court, demanding that details of these FIRs—which he described as “secret”—be made public. Granting him relief, the court stayed his arrest until May 11, 2026, and sought a response from the Punjab government regarding the matter.