Patiala: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s wife, Dr Gurpreet Kaur Mann, on Sunday rejected allegations that she sought ₹5 crore from an accused in a rape case in exchange for helping settle the case, calling the charges “baseless”.
Speaking to reporters after attending a Teej event in Patiala, Dr Mann challenged those making the allegations to prove them or face legal action.
“I am not afraid of these allegations. I challenge them to prove their allegations or face legal action,” she said.
Allegations by retired High Court judge
The allegations were made last week by retired Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Ranjit Singh. He alleged that Dr Mann had demanded ₹5 crore from an accused in a rape case to help settle a case registered against a businessman.
He also alleged that a close relative of Dr Mann remained in contact with the accused and was allegedly asking him to pay the money.
Dr Mann, however, rejected the allegations and said they were an attempt to politically target the Chief Minister.
NHRC seeks report from Punjab government
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of the allegations and directed Punjab’s Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to submit an action-taken report within two weeks.
Following the NHRC’s intervention, the Chief Minister’s Office said that Dr Mann had served a legal notice on the retired judge over the allegations.
