Gangster Turned Politician Gurpreet Singh Sekhon: In a major political development that has triggered intense debate across Punjab, former gangster Gurpreet Singh Sekhon officially joined the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Sunday.
The induction took place during a public rally in the Zira assembly constituency in the presence of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
The move has drawn sharp criticism from opposition parties, who accused the ruling government of setting a dangerous precedent by rehabilitating individuals with heavy criminal records.
According to media reports, Sekhon is a resident of Mudki village in Ferozepur district and was a key accused in the high-profile 2016 Nabha jailbreak incident.
His entry into mainstream politics comes after he previously announced plans to contest the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections from Zira as an independent candidate.
Induction Event and Chief Minister’s Remarks
Gangster Turned Politician Gurpreet Singh Sekhon: During the Zira rally, Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann welcomed Sekhon into the party fold, highlighting the large crowd present at the event.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister remarked that public support reflected widespread dissatisfaction with traditional political parties and a preference for action-oriented governance.
According to media reports, Sekhon addressed Chief Minister Mann as his elder brother during his speech, stating that he was joining AAP alongside a large base of supporters.
Sekhon explained that while he had previously been associated with the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), his supporters advised him to join AAP.
He added that he holds no ill will toward his former party and that any decisions regarding a potential election ticket from Zira would rest entirely with AAP leadership.
Criminal Background and Nabha Jailbreak Case
Gangster Turned Politician Gurpreet Singh Sekhon: According to media reports citing police records, Gurpreet Singh Sekhon has faced 47 criminal cases over the years.
His name gained national attention following the November 2016 Nabha jailbreak, in which armed assailants stormed a high-security prison and freed several inmates, including Sekhon and two alleged terrorists.
Re-arrest and Bail: Sekhon was re-arrested by law enforcement agencies in February 2017. He was subsequently granted bail in the jailbreak case on November 22, 2023.
Other Allegations: Police records also linked Sekhon to the 2015 killing of gangster Sukha Kahlwan, who was shot while in police custody, as well as alleged associations with other notorious criminal figures.
Claims of Reform: Sekhon and his supporters maintain that he has left his criminal past behind. According to media reports, supporters pointed out that no new cases have been registered against him over the past three years, citing his involvement in local social work, flood relief operations, and community support in the region.
Opposition Parties Slam AAP Leadership
Gangster Turned Politician Gurpreet Singh Sekhon:
The induction generated strong political backlash from both the Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), who targeted the ruling government’s law-and-order claims.
Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee President Amarinder Singh Raja Warring strongly criticized the move, questioning the message being sent to the public and warning against encouraging a culture of lawlessness.
Warring argued that allowing individuals with criminal backgrounds into electoral politics allows them to erase their past while legitimizing former illegal activities.
Concurrently, Congress leaders and workers led by Warring organized a protest near the rally site in Zira.
Carrying black flags and wearing black armbands, the protesters marched in solidarity with an individual from Sangrur who alleged police mistreatment following a recent public event. Security forces intercepted the demonstration before it could reach the venue.
Meanwhile, the Shiromani Akali Dal issued statements criticizing AAP’s anti-gangster campaign, arguing that welcoming figures with extensive criminal histories undermines the state’s law enforcement efforts.
Debate Over Political Rehabilitation
According to media reports, the controversy has reignited wider public debates surrounding political rehabilitation and the criteria used by political parties when inducting new members.
While AAP leadership and Sekhon’s supporters frame his entry as a story of personal reform and social service, opposition voices argue that political parties must maintain consistent standards regarding law and order.
As political reactions continue to unfold across Punjab, further updates from law enforcement agencies and political analysts will determine how this development influences regional political dynamics leading up to future electoral contests.