Daijiworld Media Network - Chandigarh
Chandigarh, Sep 16: Dr Gurpreet Kaur, wife of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has filed a criminal defamation complaint against Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal, SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia and Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, accusing them of making false allegations linking her to an alleged attempt to protect a rape accused.
Kaur filed the complaint before a Chandigarh court under Sections 210 and 222 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, alleging an offence under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
In her complaint, Kaur described herself as a qualified medical professional with a respected standing in society and alleged that the statements made by the opposition leaders had caused serious and irreparable damage to her character, reputation and personal dignity.
The complaint refers to a press conference held by Majithia in Chandigarh on September 1. Kaur alleged that he made "sensationalised, fabricated and completely unfounded statements" claiming that she, through a relative, had sought cash to influence the state machinery to protect a person accused of rape.
She further alleged that purported audio recordings, photographs and CCTV footage were presented and circulated to support claims of financial dealings involving people close to her.
Kaur has sought an order summoning the accused and initiating criminal defamation proceedings against them under the relevant provisions of the BNS.
The case comes days after a Chandigarh court granted Kaur interim protection against the circulation of unverified defamatory material concerning the allegations. On September 9, the court restrained Majithia, Khaira and retired Justice Ranjit Singh from publishing, circulating or posting unverified defamatory content against Kaur concerning the alleged demand for a bribe in connection with a rape case.
The court said the right to reputation must be balanced with freedom of speech and expression. It also declined at that stage to order the removal or deletion of the posts, videos and photographs, saying the defendants would first have to be heard. The next hearing in that matter is scheduled for September 30.
The allegations at the centre of the dispute had also been raised publicly by Harsimrat Kaur Badal, who accused Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his wife of shielding a rape accused and referred to an alleged money trail. These remain allegations contested by Kaur and have not been established as facts by a court.
The latest criminal defamation complaint marks a further legal escalation of the political controversy surrounding the allegations against the Punjab Chief Minister's wife.