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Punjab HC extends interim order against MP Sandeep Pathak’s arrest till May 15
The Punjab and Haryana High Court extended till May 15 the interim order shielding Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak from arrest, as the Punjab government pledged not to take coercive action without prior HC permission. The extension followed a resumed hearing; Pathak had joined BJP on April 24 after leaving AAP, and media reports last week claimed two criminal cases against him, which police had not yet confirmed.
Why It Matters
This development intersects politics and law, involving a high-profile MP who switched parties and is facing unconfirmed criminal case reports, with a court-ordered protection in place during ongoing scrutiny.
Timeline
4 Events
HC extends interim order till May 15; hearing resumes; Pathak seeks FIR copies
May 11, 2026
During a resumed hearing, the Punjab and Haryana High Court extended till May 15 the interim order protecting Pathak from arrest; Pathak was in court seeking copies of the purported FIRs as the government counsel sought an adjournment.
Punjab government assures no coercive action without HC permission
May 8, 2026
On Friday, the Punjab government assured the court that no coercive steps would be taken against Pathak without prior permission of the high court.
Media reports about two purported criminal cases against Pathak surface
May 5, 2026
Reports in the media referenced two purported criminal cases allegedly registered against Pathak in Punjab; police had not confirmed these cases.
Pathak joins BJP after leaving AAP
April 24, 2026
Rajya Sabha MP Sandeep Pathak left the Aam Aadmi Party and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party in New Delhi.