Patiala, March 27 -- Rape-accused AAP MLA Harmeet Singh Pathanmajra had returned to India from Australia to sign an affidavit for his special leave petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court challenging his proclaimed offender (PO) status, Patiala police have said.

A senior police officer privy to the investigation said, "He had essentially returned to India to sign the affidavit for his petition in the Supreme Court." However, he was arrested before he could complete the formalities. The top court dismissed his SLP on Wednesday.

Investigating officials said that after fleeing Karnal last year, Pathanmajra had escaped to Australia by Nepal. He is believed to have stayed in Australia for several months before returning to India.

Pathanmajra, 5...