CHANDIGARH (Gurpreet Singh): Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s wife, Dr Gurpreet Kaur Mann, has served legal notices on Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira and Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia over allegations and social media content linked to a purported ₹5 crore demand.
Through the notices, Dr Kaur has reportedly asked both political leaders to withdraw the allegations, apologise and refrain from repeating or circulating material that she considers defamatory. They have been given 24 hours to comply, failing which she has warned of further legal action.
The controversy stems from allegations made by retired Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Ranjit Singh in August. He had alleged that Dr Kaur sought ₹5 crore in connection with a rape case in which Gur Chahal was allegedly named as a principal accused. He also made claims concerning a separate case involving a businessman.
Dr Kaur has denied the allegations and has taken legal steps against those who have publicly repeated them.
Majithia releases purported audio-video
The dispute intensified on September 2, when Bikram Singh Majithia shared an alleged audio-video recording on social media.
Majithia claimed that the recording contained conversations involving people allegedly connected with the accused and a relative of Dr Kaur. He linked the material to claims about financial transactions and alleged arrangements concerning the accused.
Majithia also raised allegations about facilities allegedly being provided to the accused while in Patiala jail and claimed that discussions referred to a meeting at the Chief Minister’s residence.
The authenticity and context of the material have not been independently established.
Khaira shares recording and questions government
Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira also shared a video featuring the audio recording on his social media account.
Khaira questioned Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and Punjab Police DGP over whether action would be taken against Amardeep Grewal, whom he alleged was connected to a purported demand for ₹5 crore.
Khaira further referred to an alleged audio recording involving Grewal and claimed that CCTV footage involving Dr Kaur was also connected to the controversy.
Following receipt of the legal notice, Khaira said he had no intention of issuing a response or apology. He challenged Dr Kaur to pursue a defamation case or take whatever legal action she deemed appropriate.
Earlier notice sent to retired judge
The latest notices are not Dr Kaur’s first legal response to the allegations.
On August 23, she had reportedly issued a legal notice to retired Justice Ranjit Singh, rejecting the ₹5 crore allegations and seeking a withdrawal of his statements and a public apology.
The notice also questioned the motivation behind the allegations and alleged a political angle to the controversy. It reportedly claimed that the retired judge had links to Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira.
NHRC had sought report from Punjab
The controversy also reached the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) after a complaint by the Legal Rights Observatory (LRO).
The commission sought an action-taken report from Punjab’s Chief Secretary and Director General of Police and asked the authorities to respond within two weeks.
The NHRC’s intervention added another layer to a dispute that has already spilled into political and legal arenas.
Legal battle could escalate
With Dr Kaur now taking action against both Majithia and Khaira over the alleged defamatory material, the controversy appears set for another round of confrontation.
At the centre of the dispute are allegations involving a purported ₹5 crore demand, an alleged audio recording, claims concerning a relative of Dr Kaur and references to CCTV footage. While opposition leaders have publicly raised questions over the claims, Dr Kaur has rejected the allegations and is seeking legal remedies against their circulation.
Any determination regarding the authenticity of the recordings, CCTV material or the allegations themselves would depend on evidence examined through the appropriate legal process.
