Indian-origin man arrested in child exploitation content case in US; BJP, Congress link him to AAP

An Indian citizen, Gurjeet Singh Malhi, 42, has been arrested in Washington State by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) during a joint federal operation. Malhi has been charged by local authorities with possession of CSAM (Child Sexual Abuse Material), commonly referred to as child pornography.

Following Malhi’s arrest, the photos of him with Punjab CM and AAP leader Bhagwant Mann and other leaders have gone viral on social media, which have stirred a political storm in India.

The BJP and Congress are now alleging links between Malhi and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP).

The BJP Chandigarh unit posted on X, “NRI Gurjeet Malhi, arrested in the USA on child sexual exploitation charges, has photos circulating publicly with CM Bhagwant Mann’s family, as well as with AAP leaders like Speaker Kultar Sandhwan, Finance Minister Harpal Cheema, and Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak.”

The BJP further questioned AAP, “What is your connection with this man? Why the silence on such a disturbing case? AAP leaders often target others based on photos – will you now apply the same standard to yourselves?”

They also demanded a public clarification from AAP, “When will AAP’s so-called ‘revolutionaries’ answer these serious questions?”

Congress MLA from Punjab Sukhpal Singh Khaira also shared photos of Gurjeet Singh Malhi with Bhagwant Mann on Facebook, demanding clarification, “We seek clarification from Bhagwant Mann on his family’s connection with a criminal like NRI Gurjeet Malhi, arrested by US authorities on child sexual exploitation charges. AAP leaders like Kultar Sandhwan and Harpal Cheema should also explain their photos with such criminals.”

Both political parties are demanding a statement from AAP, but AAP leaders have not yet responded to these allegations.