Chandigarh
 
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s wife Dr Gurpreet Kaur Mann made her first public response to the allegation that she demanded Rs five crore to help suppress a rape case, calling the charge “baseless” and a politically-motivated attempt to target her husband. Speaking in Patiala on Sunday, she challenged those making the allegation to prove it or face legal action.
 
Notably, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has, a day before, directed the Punjab Chief Secretary and DGP to inquire into the matter and submit an Action Taken Report within two weeks. Her response came a day after the Chief Minister’s Office said that she had served a legal notice on retired Punjab and Haryana High Court judge, Justice Ranjit Singh, although a copy of the notice was not available as of now.
 
“I am not scared of the allegations,” Dr Gurpreet said while speaking to mediapersons after attending a Teej function in Patiala. Accompanied by Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh and Punjab State Commission for Women chairperson Raj Lalli Gill, she said making allegations was easy but those levelling them must substantiate their claims.
 
“I challenge them to prove what they have alleged or face legal action,” she said, making it clear that she intended to contest the allegations rather than remain silent.
 
What The Retired Judge Alleged
The controversy began last week after Justice Ranjit Singh (retd) allegedly claimed that Dr Gurpreet Kaur had sought Rs five crore from an accused in a rape case, purportedly offering to help scuttle the case registered against a businessman.
 
He also alleged that a close relative of Dr Gurpreet had remained in contact with the accused and was allegedly pressuring him to pay the money to “save his skin”.
 
The allegations have not been established in the court, and Dr Gurpreet Kaur has categorically denied them. The charge has nevertheless triggered a political controversy, with Opposition parties demanding answers from the Punjab Government and the Chief Minister’s family.
 
Legal Notice and Counter-Claims
According to the details released about the legal notice, Dr Gurpreet rejected the allegations of bribery and interference in the rape case as false, baseless and politically motivated. She reportedly sought a withdrawal of the statements and a public apology from Justice Ranjit Singh within 24 hours, failing which she warned of criminal defamation proceedings.
 
The said notice also reportedly alleged a political motive behind the accusations and referred to Justice Ranjit Singh as a relative of Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira. However, the actual copy of the legal notice was not available.
 
Justice Ranjit Singh, meanwhile, said he had not received any notice from Dr Gurpreet Kaur. He also said he had not lodged any complaint with the NHRC.
 
NHRC Seeks Punjab Report
The NHRC took cognisance of the matter under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, following a complaint by Legal Rights Observatory. The Commission said the allegations, if true, could prima facie raise concerns about the rape victim’s human rights, including dignity, safety, fair investigation and access to justice.
 
A bench headed by NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo directed the Punjab Chief Secretary and DGP to have the allegations inquired into and submit an Action Taken Report within two weeks. The Commission also directed that the proceedings be shared with the Women Safety Division of the Union Home Ministry.
 
Importantly, the NHRC action was directed at the Punjab administration and police; it did not issue a personal notice to Dr Gurpreet.