Inducted by CM Mann into AAP, who is Gurpreet Sekhon: Nabha jailbreak mastermind, out on bail

Inducted by CM Mann into AAP. This person is Gurpreet Sekhon: Nabha jailbreak mastermind, out on bail Gangster-turned-politician Sekhon has had 47 criminal cases registered against him; Oppn slams AAP for setting "dangerous precedent".

Key points

• 4 min read Patiala Sep 7, 2026 07: 11 AM IST First published on: Sep 7, 2026 at 07: 11 AM IST.
• Sentenced to 10 years in prison in March 2023 in the jailbreak case, he secured bail in late November 2023 pending further proceedings.
• Sekhon himself had been arrested during the elections under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita after complaints by rival candidates.
• Gangster turned politician Gurpreet Singh Sekhon joined AAP on Sunday in the presence of Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann.
• His name had additionally figured in the 2015 murder of gangster Sukha Kahlwan.

Gangster turned politician Gurpreet Singh Sekhon joined AAP on Sunday in the presence of Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann. (Special Arrangement). Written by: Raakhi Jagga.

Gangster-turned-politician Gurpreet Singh Sekhon. This person has had 47 criminal cases registered against him and was the main accused in the sensational 2016 Nabha jailbreak, joined the Aam Aadmi Party on Sunday in the presence of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, triggering sharp criticism from the Opposition parties.

Sekhon, a resident of the Mudki area in Ferozepur district, joined the AAP at a public rally in Zira.

Welcoming Sekhon into the party, Mann remarked, "The resounding applause from the people present on this occasion indicates that the public is thoroughly fed up with the plunder by traditional parties and now only favours politics of work".

Sekhon's induction into the AAP drew sharp criticism from Opposition parties with state Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring saying that the ruling party was setting a dangerous precedent.

"What message are you going to convey with this?" he asked Mann, warning him not to "incentivise gangster culture."

Warring remarked such rehabilitation is dangerous where criminals first intimidate residents, indulge in crime and extortion and subsequently enter electoral politics to erase their past.

Shiromani Akali Dal remarked if this was "AAP's policy towards gangsters, you can well imagine the state of law and order in Punjab". It additionally took a dig at the ongoing anti-gangster operation 'Gangstran Te Vaar', rolled out by the Punjab Police. "Not war, but love with gangsters. That seems to be the AAP's new campaign".

Sekhon, meanwhile, maintained that he had turned his life around. "All the cases against me have now been disposed of, " he asserted, adding that he had been serving the residents of the area for a number of years.

Addressing the rally, Sekhon described Mann as an elder brother and remarked he would remain committed to supporting him. "I have seen plenty of ups and downs in my life but never ceased praying to God. Today, I am joining the AAP with my massive family of supporters, " he stated.

Sekhon informed The Indian Express that he had earlier been associated with the SAD but had decided to join the AAP on the advice of his supporters. "I have no ill feeling against the SAD, but my supporters guided me to join the AAP and hence I am joining the party, " he remarked.

During the block samiti elections in December last year, the SAD had backed Independent candidates backed by Sekhon and had refrained from putting up candidates in some areas where his supporters were contesting. Sekhon himself had been arrested during the elections under Sections 126 and 170 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita after complaints by rival candidates. He was published on bail after five days, with SAD leaders additionally assisting his family.

At the time, Sekhon had openly targeted the AAP and local MLA Rajnish Dahiya. His position, nevertheless, began changing over the past a number of months, with him publicly praising Mann on a number of occasions.

Last year he had confirmed to contest the 2027 elections as an Independent without naming any constituency. Asked whether he would seek party ticket from Zira, at present represented by AAP's Naresh Kataria, in the coming Assembly elections, Sekhon stated: "That is up to the party".

Sekhon has had a controversial past with police records showing 47 cases registered against him over the years. He was among accused in the November 2016 Nabha jailbreak, in which a group of armed assailants attacked the high-security prison and freed six inmates, including Sekhon and two alleged terrorists. He was rearrested in February 2017 and has been out on bail in the case since November 22, 2023.

His name had additionally figured in the 2015 murder of gangster Sukha Kahlwan. This person was shot dead while being transported in police custody. Sekhon had additionally been associated with gangsters Shera Khubban and Vicky Gounder.

Sekhon's supporters, nevertheless, say he has left his criminal past behind and has spent the past a number of years working on social causes. They point to his involvement in arranging marriages for girls from poor families, contributions towards road construction and distribution of ration, cattle feed and other relief material during last year's floods. "He has completely reformed himself and there is not even a single case against him in the past three years, " a supporter asserted.

For now, inducted by CM Mann into AAP, who is Gurpreet Sekhon: Nabha jailbreak remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.