Allegations and legal response
Dr Gurpreet Kaur Mann, wife of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has publicly rejected allegations that she demanded Rs 5 crore to help scuttle a rape case, calling the charges “baseless” and an attempt to politically target her husband. In her first public response to the controversy, she challenged those levelling the allegations to substantiate them or face legal action.
Speaking to media after participating in a Teej function in Patiala, accompanied by Health Minister Dr Balbir Singh and Punjab Women Commission chairperson Raj Lalli Gill, Dr Kaur said she was “not scared of the allegations.” She added, “I challenge them to prove what they have alleged, or face legal action.”
The allegations were levelled by retired Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Ranjit Singh, who claimed that a close relative of Dr Kaur had been in constant touch with an accused in a rape case, pestering him to pay Rs 5 crore to “settle the case and its investigations.” The charges have not been established in court, and Dr Kaur has categorically denied them.
NHRC notice and probe
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of the allegations and directed the Punjab Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to inquire into the matter and submit an action taken report within two weeks. The notice was issued under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, after the commission received a complaint.
NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo said in a media briefing that the commission received a complaint from Justice Ranjit Singh, alleging that the CM’s wife attempted to hush up a rape case in exchange for a bribe of Rs 5 crore. However, Justice Singh denied making any complaint to the NHRC. “I have not complained to anyone about anyone,” he told The Indian Express, adding that he had “not received any notice from Dr Gurpreet Kaur either.”
The complaint, filed by the Legal Rights Observatory, raised concerns that such “interference” could compromise the victim’s right to dignity, safety, fair investigation, and access to justice. It requested independent verification of the allegations, preservation of evidence, and an “impartial inquiry into any attempt to dilute or influence the investigation,” according to a statement from the commission. A copy of the proceedings was transmitted to the Joint Secretary, Women Safety Division, Ministry of Home Affairs.
AAP's defence and legal notice
The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has dismissed the allegations as “baseless and politically motivated,” accusing the opposition of resorting to personal attacks as it had “no answer” to the Mann government’s performance. The party deputed its media in-charge Baltej Singh Pannu and Moga MLA Amandeep Kaur to counter the opposition's charges.
Amandeep Kaur said the CM’s wife had sent a legal notice to Justice Ranjit Singh, seeking an apology within 24 hours for the allegations, failing which legal proceedings would be initiated. “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,” she said. “When lies cross all limits, they will be answered not only politically but also through legal means.”
She also referenced similar allegations recently levelled against Rajvir Singh, OSD to the CM, without any concrete evidence being presented. “I can say with full responsibility that there is absolutely no matter of anyone making any inappropriate demand from anyone in the name of party funds,” she added, challenging the opposition to place such allegations before the public with concrete facts and evidence.
AAP spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal defended Mann and his wife, calling the legal notice part of a routine legal process. “It is a part of legal process. Such legal procedures are routine; notices are exchanged between parties,” he said, adding that “baseless notices” had been issued against Mann and that “the truth will only emerge later.”
Opposition demands and political reactions
The opposition, including the Congress, BJP, and Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD), has stepped up attacks on the CM and his wife following the NHRC action. Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said the CM and his residence should issue a clarification on the issue. Former Chief Minister and Congress leader Charanjit Singh Channi demanded a CBI probe, calling it unfortunate that such conspiracies were allegedly originating from the CM’s residence. “On one hand, the government claims to give Rs 1,000 each to women every month, and on the other, it is demanding Rs 5 crore and sheltering the rape accused,” he said.
SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia demanded Mann’s resignation on moral grounds, saying, “There is a serious allegation of Rs 5 crore against the CM and his wife’s relatives. The CM has lost the trust of the people. He should immediately resign on moral grounds.” BJP leader Iqbal Singh Lalpura called the NHRC notice a serious development and called for an independent investigation. BJP state chief Kewal Singh Dhillon accused the AAP government of ruining the state, citing drugs, debt, and law and order issues.
Meanwhile, the SAD also alleged that the AAP government was attempting to make a Rs 341-crore cut from the Punjab treasury as commission for raising a Rs 25,000-crore loan, allegedly to fund the 2027 Assembly polls. Senior SAD leader NK Sharma demanded an independent probe into the commission.
CM meets Governor
Amid the controversy, CM Mann met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria at the latter’s residence on Saturday. The meeting lasted around 15-20 minutes. “It was a private meeting,” said an official in the Chief Minister’s Office. The purpose of the meeting was not officially disclosed. A few days ago, the CM had met the Governor to seek a 10-day parole for Jagtar Singh Hawara.
Justice Ranjit Singh is the brother-in-law of Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, a connection highlighted by the Chief Minister’s Office in its response to the allegations.