Chandigarh: Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s wife, Dr Gurpreet Kaur, has filed a criminal defamation complaint against Shiromani Akali Dal leaders Bikram Singh Majithia and Harsimrat Kaur Badal, and Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira, accusing them of making false allegations against her.
Kaur filed the complaint before a Chandigarh court under Sections 210 and 222 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, in connection with the offence of defamation under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
In her complaint, Kaur said she is a qualified medical professional with a respectable standing in society. She alleged that the statements made against her had caused serious damage to her reputation, character and personal standing.
Kaur specifically accused Majithia of running a campaign against her. She alleged that during a press conference in Chandigarh on September 1, Majithia made claims that she had sought money through a relative in exchange for influencing the government machinery to help a person accused in a rape case.
She further alleged that purported audio recordings, photographs and CCTV footage were presented during the press conference to suggest that people close to her were involved in financial transactions.
Kaur denied the allegations and said the three leaders had specifically portrayed her as someone who could help a rape accused for financial gain. She claimed that the allegations had adversely affected her reputation and dignity.
She has asked the court to summon the three leaders and initiate proceedings under Section 356 of the BNS.
The complaint comes against the backdrop of a separate interim order by a Chandigarh civil court restraining retired Justice Ranjit Singh, Majithia and Khaira from publishing or sharing unverified and allegedly defamatory material concerning claims of bribery against Kaur until further orders. The matter is listed for hearing on September 30.
