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Arrest of Indian man for child porn in US sparks political slugfest in India

Arrest of Indian man for child porn in US sparks political slugfest in India

India Today17-07-2025
A 42-year-old Indian national has been arrested in the State of Washington on charges of possession of child pornography, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said. Gurjeet Singh Malhi was arrested during a coordinated federal law enforcement operation. Malhi's arrest in the US has triggered a political row in Punjab, with the BJP and Congress accusing the ruling AAP of having links with the accused.advertisementThe Congress and BJP attacks came after purported images of Malhi with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's family members, and other AAP leaders and ministers surfaced. Both parties are now seeking explanations from Mann and the AAP government in Punjab over the alleged links.Malhi has been charged by the US authorities with possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), also known as child pornography.
"A citizen of India, Gurjeet Singh Malhi, 42, was arrested during a joint federal law enforcement action in WA. Malhi has been charged by local authorities with possession of CSAM, child sexual assault material, commonly known as child porn," ICE said in a statement.The ICE, Seattle, had announced the arrest of Malhi on X, on July 11.CONGRESS SHARES MALHI'S PHOTOS WITH AAP LEADERSCongress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira demanded answers from the Punjab CM over his family's alleged connection with the accused."We (Congress Party) demand an explanation from Bhagwant Mann – what connection does his family have with the shameful arrest of NRI Gurjit Malhi by USA federal authorities for possessing CSAM, Child Sexual Assault Material, commonly known as Child Porn? (sic)" the MLA from the Bholath Assembly constituency said in a post on X."Does the family of the Punjab CM have relations with such a shameful CRIMINAL? (sic)" the former Leader of Opposition in the Punjab Assembly added."Similarly, other Aam Aadmi Party leaders like Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan, FM Harpal Cheema, MLA, etc. should explain what dealings, including financial, do these leaders have with such Nasty Criminals? (sic)" Khaira further questioned in the post shared on Wednesday.Khaira, who is also the chairman of the All India Kisan Congress, tagged his post on X to Bhagwant Mann and other AAP leaders mentioned in the post.
A screenshot of X post by Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira.
BJP ALSO SOUGHT ANSWERS FROM AAP OVER MALHIThe BJP's Chandigarh unit also questioned AAP over the purported pictures, asking, "How long will AAP's self-proclaimed revolutionaries dodge these serious allegations?"advertisement"NRI Gurjeet Malhi, arrested in the USA on child sexual exploitation (CSAM, child pornography) charges. His photos with CM Bhagwant Mann's family are circulating publicly, along with clear links to AAP leaders like Speaker Kultar Sandhwan, Finance Minister Harpal Cheema, and Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, (sic)" BJP said in a social media post on X."What is your connection with this man? Why the silence on such a disturbing case?" BJP said, and also tagged Punjab CM and State Finance Minister Cheema and other AAP Punjab leaders.
A screenshot of the post by the BJP Chandigarh
"AAP leaders often target others based on mere photos – will you now apply the same standard to yourselves?" the BJP asked.So far, the Aam Aadmi Party has not responded to the allegations despite the controversy blowing up.- Ends
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