Chandigarh: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) functionary and former minister Bikram Singh Majithia on Tuesday sought a CBI probe or an independent inquiry monitored by Punjab and Haryana high court into allegations that chief minister Bhagwant Singh Mann’s wife sought Rs 5 crore for the release of a rape accused. AAP chief spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal hit back, accusing Majithia of political mudslinging and asking him to first answer questions about his own record.At a press conference, Majithia released purported audio recordings, photographs and CCTV footage allegedly involving a relative of Mann’s wife and a person allegedly negotiating on behalf of the rape accused as material to support his allegations.Dhaliwal countered that the person named by Majithia had categorically denied any financial transaction in a video. “If you have evidence, put it before the people of Punjab instead of merely making allegations,” the AAP spokesperson said, adding, “If Majithia wants answers from others, he should first be prepared to answer the questions being raised about his own record.” Dhaliwal asked Majithia to explain the alleged use of govt vehicles during his tenure as a minister.The National Human Rights Commission had last month sought an action taken report from Punjab chief secretary and DGP within two weeks on a complaint in the matter.On Aug 24, Mann’s wife, Gurpreet Kaur, termed the bribery allegations “baseless, fabricated and politically motivated”. According to AAP, she had served a legal notice on Punjab Human Rights Organisation chairman Justice Ranjit Singh (retd) to prove his charge or face legal action. The former judge said he hadn’t received any notice, and that he wouldn’t reply even if he does. “If they choose to take the matter to court, then whatever facts we present before the court, and whatever consequences follow for those who take it to the court, they themselves will be responsible for the outcome,” the Justice Singh (retd) said.
