Another seat vacant after conviction of AAP MLA; Punjab to conduct two by-elections

September 12, 2025

Tarn Taran, Sep12, 2025: Punjab is set to witness two crucial by-elections after the seats in the state assembly fell vacant due to the death of sitting MLA Dr. Kashmir Singh Sohal and the conviction of Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura. According to Indian law, any sitting Member of a Legislative Assembly (MLA) or Member of Parliament (MP) who is convicted of a crime and sentenced to a minimum of two years’ imprisonment is automatically disqualified from office, effective immediately.

The by-election to the Tarn Taran assembly constituency has been announced following the demise of Dr. Kashmir Singh Sohal, who passed away on June 27, 2025 after a long battle with oesophagal cancer. The Election Commission is expected to announce the polling date within six months of his demise.

In a separate development, AAP MLA from Tarn Taran, Manjinder Singh Lalpura, was recently convicted of molestation and assault in a 2013 case and sentenced to four years in prison. His conviction has left another assembly seat vacant, necessitating a second by-election in the region.

Both the by-elections are being closely watched by political observers as they will serve as key indicators of public sentiment towards the ruling and opposition parties in Punjab. The Aam Aadmi Party, which holds both the seats, faces a major challenge in retaining its voter base amid recent controversies.

Punjab AAP MLA sentenced to 4 years in prison

Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA Manjinder Singh has been sentenced to 4 years imprisonment by a Tarn Taran court in Punjab. On September 10, the court convicted him for assaulting and molesting a woman 12 years ago, after which he was arrested and sent to jail.

Apart from MLA Manjinder Singh Lalpura, who was the taxi driver at the time of the incident, the court also convicted 5 policemen Davinder Kumar, Saraj Singh, Ashwani Kumar, Tarsem Singh and Harjinder Singh. However, the court did not send Gagandeep Singh and policemen Narinderjit Singh and Gurdeep Raj to judicial custody.

This entire case is of 2013. At that time MLA Lalpura was a taxi driver. He was accused of beating up a girl who had come to attend a wedding. The girl had also accused the taxi drivers of molestation. MLA Lalpura’s advocate had told that there was a case of beating up a Dalit girl.