The arrest of Indian citizen Gurjeet Singh Malhi in the United States on charges of possessing child sexual abuse material (CSAM) has triggered a political storm in Punjab, with opposition parties linking him to leaders of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in Seattle announced the arrest on July 11 via social media platform X, stating, “A citizen of India, Gurjeet Singh Malhi, 42, was arrested during a joint federal law enforcement action in Washington. Malhi has been charged by local authorities with possession of CSAM, commonly known as child pornography.”
Following the announcement, images of Malhi posing with various Indian political figures surfaced online, sparking backlash and demands for explanations. Photos showing Malhi with senior AAP leaders—including Punjab Speaker Kultar Sandhwan and Finance Minister Harpal Cheema—as well as with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s family members, have gone viral on Facebook and X.
Opposition leaders have seized on the images to question AAP’s associations. Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira took to Facebook, asking, “What is the connection of his family with a shameful criminal like NRI Gurjeet Malhi?” He further called on AAP leaders to clarify their links to Malhi.
The BJP’s Chandigarh unit also weighed in, posting images of Malhi with AAP figures and questioning, “When will AAP’s so-called ‘revolutionaries’ answer these serious questions?”
Photos of Malhi with Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president and former deputy chief minister Sukhbir Singh Badal have also surfaced, though the political focus remains largely on AAP due to the ruling party’s position in Punjab.
Malhi, a realtor and investor, is believed to have attended various public and political events, where such photographs were taken. There is currently no official statement from AAP addressing the controversy. The investigation into the charges against Malhi continues in the U.S., while political pressure mounts in Punjab.