SEATTLE (Diya TV) — The arrest of Gurjeet Singh Malhi, a 42-year-old Indian citizen, in Washington state on charges of possessing child pornography has triggered a political storm in his home state of Punjab, India.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed the arrest on July 11 in a post on X. ICE’s Seattle unit said Malhi was arrested during a joint federal law enforcement action and charged by local authorities for possession of Child Sexual Assault Material (CSAM), also known as child pornography.
The federal agency shared Malhi’s photo along with the announcement, noting his Indian citizenship and the seriousness of the charges. The arrest has since drawn widespread attention both in the U.S. and India.
Malhi, believed to be a realtor and investor with business interests in the Mohali region near Chandigarh, has become the center of controversy in Punjab after photos of him with various Indian political leaders surfaced on social media.
Leaders from the Indian National Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have shared images of Malhi with key figures from the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which currently governs Punjab. In some photos, Malhi is seen posing with Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, and Assembly Speaker Kultar Singh Sandhwan.
Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira took to Facebook to question Chief Minister Mann’s association with Malhi. “We demand an explanation from Bhagwant Mann. What is the connection of his family with a shameful criminal like NRI Gurjeet Malhi?” he wrote.
Khaira also urged other AAP leaders to clarify their relationships with Malhi. “Leaders like Kultar Sandhwan and Harpal Cheema must explain how they are linked with such despicable individuals,” Khaira said.
The BJP’s Chandigarh unit also criticized AAP over the controversy. The party asked, “When will AAP’s so-called revolutionaries answer these serious questions?” while sharing a collage of images showing Malhi with several leaders and Mann’s family members.
Photos of Malhi with Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) president and former Deputy Chief Minister Sukhbir Singh Badal have also emerged, fueling more speculation about his political connections across party lines.
As of now, it remains unclear how authorities discovered the illegal material in Malhi’s possession. No details have been released about whether he has been granted bail. Law enforcement in Washington has not yet issued a detailed statement on the case.
Malhi’s arrest has also sparked public outcry in Punjab, with calls for greater scrutiny of non-resident Indians (NRIs) involved in politics and real estate investments. Social media users continue to share his photos with politicians, intensifying public debate and political finger-pointing.
Reports suggest Malhi holds significant real estate interests in and around Chandigarh, particularly in the rapidly growing Mohali region. These investments have reportedly brought him into contact with various local politicians and community leaders, raising concerns about how closely he was tied to figures in public office.
Despite his criminal charges in the U.S., no formal investigation has been launched in India regarding his business activities or political associations.
Possession of CSAM is a federal and state-level offense in the U.S., often leading to serious legal consequences, including long prison sentences and permanent sex offender registration.
The case remains under investigation, and further details are expected to emerge in the coming weeks. ICE and local law enforcement have not provided a court date or additional comments on Malhi’s status.
