The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of allegations that Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann’s wife Dr Gurpreet Kaur sought ₹ 5 crore to suppress a rape case even as the latter shot off a legal notice to the complainant, seeking an apology over the charges that the Aam Aadmi Party dubbed as “politically motivated”.
“A notice has been sent to the complainant, former Punjab and Haryana high court judge justice Ranjit Singh, who is a brother-in-law of Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira. Punjab Congress president Amarinder Singh Raja Warring sought a clarification from the CM over the “serious charges. “The chief minister should give his clarification on the issue.
An apology has been sought within 24 hours for the allegations, failing which legal proceedings would be initiated and the matter will be taken to court,” AAP’s Moga MLA Amandeep Kaur told reporters.
Why such allegations have been levelled, what is the matter, he should clarify,” Warring said.
Can’t wait to see the action taken report from the DGP! In a post on X, Harsimrat said, “Allegations of ₹ 5 crore corruption against the wife of CM @bhagwantmann are so serious that the NHRC had to step in. Gentle Reminder: The deadline is 2 weeks! Save this tweet @aappunjab ~ I’ll ask you again on Sept 5! Earlier reporting noted: NHRC directs Punjab govt to probe allegation against CM’s wife of demanding ₹5 cr to suppress rape case New Delhi, The NHRC has issued a notice to the Punjab government and its police chief over a complaint alleging that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s wife demanded ₹ 5 crore to suppress a rape case, officials said on Saturday.
Congress’ Jalandhar MP and former chief minister Charanjit Singh Channi said the matter pertaining to the allegations should be inquired by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). Lok Sabha MP and senior SAD leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal said the NHRC intervention showed the seriousness of allegations. Earlier reporting noted: “The complainant alleged that a retired judge publicly stated that a demand of ₹ 5 crore was made in connection with a rape case, allegedly involving the wife of the chief minister of Punjab,” the proceedings dated August 21 read.
Earlier reporting noted: No immediate reaction was available from the Punjab government.
When lies cross all limits, they will be answered not only politically but also through legal means. “It’s matter of concern when such an allegation is levelled against a person holding a top position in a state regarding a case involving the safety of women and children.
Lashing out at the Opposition for making “baseless charges”, MLA Amandeep said: “In politics, it is the opposition’s right to question, oppose and criticise the functioning of the government, but making false allegations and attacking an individual’s private life, reputation and character would not be accepted at any cost. Earlier, while talking to news agency ANI, NHRC member Kanoongo said the commission had forwarded the matter to the women’s safety division of the Union home ministry. We will be able to proceed with further investigation only after receiving the report from the DGP and the chief secretary,” he said.
