The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has called for the resignation of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. This demand arises from allegations that Mann’s wife, Gurpreet Kaur, attempted to secure Rs 5 crore to cover up a rape case. The situation has sparked significant political controversy, highlighting issues of accountability within the state’s leadership.
Nothing less than an independent investigation will do,” BJP leader Iqbal Singh Lalpura said today. Leaders of other Opposition parties in Punjab including the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Congress have also demanded the resignation of the chief minister, who heads a government run by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP). “The NHRC notice is a very serious matter. The allegations are also very serious. The former judge is also the brother-in-law of Congress leader Sukhpal Khaira. The Shiromani Akali Dal, too, has demanded the resignation of the chief minister over the huge controversy that erupted months before elections are scheduled in Punjab. The BJP and the Akali Dal are likely to contest as allies.
“The complainant alleged that a retired judge publicly stated that a demand of Rs 5 crore was made in connection with a rape case, allegedly involving the wife of the chief minister of Punjab,” the NHRC proceedings said. After the controversy erupted, Gurpreet Kaur sent a legal notice to former Punjab judge Justice Ranjit Singh, who NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo said had given the complaint.
“We have directed the chief secretary and the DGP of Punjab to investigate the matter and submit a report to us. “The chief minister should give his clarification on the issue.
We have also informed the women’s safety division of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs,” Kanoongo said. Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said Mann must clarify the matter immediately. Why such allegations have been levelled, what is the matter, he should clarify,” he said.
