Punjab may face another assembly by-poll
Chandigarh, November 18, 2025 (Bharat Khabarnama Bureau)- Aam Aadmi Party AAP (AAP) legislator Manjinder Singh Lalpura suffered a sharp legal and political setback today when the Punjab and Haryana High Court declined his request to suspend the jail term awarded to him in a long-pending molestation case. The ruling has deepened the troubles of the Khadoor Sahib MLA, whose conviction now threatens his membership of the Punjab Vidhan Sabha.
The detailed order is expected but the court’s decision signals a clear rejection of Lalpura’s plea for interim relief. He was convicted on September 10 by a Tarn Taran district court for molesting a Dalit woman in a case dating back twelve years. The trial court held him guilty under the SC/ST Act and multiple sections of the Indian Penal Code, awarding four years of imprisonment under the SC/ST Act, three years under Section 354, and one year each under Sections 506 and 323. Six other accused were also convicted in the same case.
Lalpura, 40, had hoped the High Court would suspend his sentence while his appeal was examined, but today’s refusal leaves him with few legal avenues. Under the Representation of the People Act, a legislator convicted of an offence carrying a sentence of more than two years faces immediate disqualification.
The case, which resurfaced after more than a decade, has sparked renewed political debate in Punjab. Opposition parties have demanded clarity from the ruling Aam Aadmi Party on Lalpura’s status, while legal experts note that the High Court’s decision reinforces the seriousness with which courts are viewing crimes against women and offences under the SC/ST Act.
With the conviction standing and no suspension granted, Lalpura’s future in public life appears increasingly uncertain as he prepares for the next phase of his legal battle.
What lies ahead
Lalpura still has the option to challenge the High Court’s order in the Supreme Court, which is likely to be his next step as he seeks to salvage his political career. If the Punjab Vidhan Sabha declares his seat vacant following the conviction, the state may be headed for another by poll in the Khadoor Sahib Assembly constituency, adding fresh political stakes to an already charged situation.
