According to AAP sources, a legal notice has been send by Dr Gurpreet Kaur to the retired judge and he has been asked to respond within 24 hours of receiving it failing which further legal proceedings will be initiated.
Read more: NHRC takes cognisance of allegations against Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s wife of suppressing a rape case for Rs 5 crore
The matter came to limelight after National Human Rights Commission issued a notice to the Punjab government and its police chief over a complaint alleging that Mann’s wife demanded Rs 5 crore to suppress a rape case, officials said on Saturday.
Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said that serious allegations have been levelled and the Chief Minister should clarify on the allegations made.
“The chief minister should give his clarification on the issue. Why such allegations have been levelled, what is the matter, he should clarify,” Warring told reporters here.
Read more: SC issues notice to Bhagwant Mann on plea against quashing of rioting caseShiromani Akali Dal leader and former Punjab Minister Bikram Singh Majithia said that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann should respond to the allegations that have been levelled.
“A serious allegation of demanding a Rs 5 crore bribe has been levelled against your wife, and the NHRC has sought a report from your DGP and Chief Secretary,” Majithia said in a post on X on Saturday.
He said Bhagwant Mann should immediately recommend handing over the matter to the CBI to ensure justice for the victim.
“Bhagwant Mann, a serious allegation of demanding Rs 5 crore has been levelled against your wife. You have lost the trust of the people of Punjab on moral grounds. Immediately send your resignation to the Punjab Governor,” Majithia said in his post.
The National Human Rights Commission has directed the authorities to inquire into the allegation and submit an action taken report within two weeks.
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 proceedings dated August 21 read.
An NHRC official said the Commission has taken cognisance of the allegation of the complainant that the wife of Chief Minister Mann sought Rs 5 crore to suppress a rape case. According to the complaint, the allegation has been levelled by a former judge.
The complaint, filed by Legal Rights Observatory (LRO), raised concerns that such “interference” could compromise the victim’s right to dignity, safety, fair investigation and access to justice, the officials said.
The complainant has requested independent verification of the allegation, preservation of evidence, and “impartial inquiry into any attempt to dilute or influence the investigation”, and emphasised that a rape victim’s right to justice must remain “above influence, status, or position”.
The allegation prima facie seems to be a violation of the human rights of the victim, an NHRC bench presided over by its member Priyank Kanoongo said after taking cognisance of the matter under Section 12 of the Protection of Human Rights Act, 1993, according to the proceedings.
