Punjab CM’s wife sends legal notice to ex-judge after NHRC asks state to probe his complaint

3 min learnChandigarh, GurgaonAug 23, 2026 07:26 AM IST

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s spouse, Dr Gurpreet Kaur, Saturday despatched a authorized discover to retired Punjab and Haryana Excessive Court docket Justice Ranjit Singh after the Nationwide Human Rights Fee directed Punjab Chief Secretary and police chief to inquire into allegations she sought Rs 5 crore to suppress a rape case, officers mentioned.

When contacted, Justice Singh, nevertheless, advised The Indian Categorical he had not made any criticism to the NHRC. “I’ve not complained to anybody about anybody,” he mentioned when requested in regards to the NHRC discover to the DGP and Punjab authorities. He additionally mentioned he has “not acquired any discover from Dr Gurpreet Kaur both”.

Within the discover to Justice Ranjit Singh (retd), Gurpreet Kaur sought an apology inside 24 hours, failing which authorized proceedings could be initiated.

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Justice Singh’s assertion assume significance as NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo mentioned in a media briefing that the Fee issued the discover after taking cognisance of his criticism.

“We’ve acquired a criticism from former Punjab and Haryana Excessive Court docket decide, Justice Ranjit Singh, alleging that the spouse of Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann tried to hush up a rape case in change for a bribe of Rs 5 crore,” Kanoongo advised media.

The criticism raised considerations that such “interference” may compromise the sufferer’s proper to dignity, security, honest investigation, and entry to justice, as per the a press release issued by the Fee. The complainant has requested impartial verification of the allegation, preservation of proof, and “neutral inquiry into any try to dilute or affect the investigation,” it mentioned.

Issuing notices underneath Part 12 of the Safety of Human Rights Act, the NHRC directed the Chief Secretary and DGP to inquire into the allegation and submit an motion taken report inside two weeks. It, nevertheless, didn’t subject any private discover to Dr Gurpreet Kaur, an official mentioned.

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Justice Singh is the brother-in-law of Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira, a connection highlighted by the Chief Minister’s Workplace whereas saying the authorized discover.

Punjab Congress president Amrinder Singh Raja Warring mentioned the chief minister “ought to give his clarification on the difficulty”. Former chief minister and Congress chief Charanjit Singh Channi mentioned the matter pertaining to the allegations needs to be inquired by CBI.

Shiromani Akali Dal chief and former Punjab Minister Bikram Singh Majithia too mentioned Mann ought to reply to the allegations. “You will have misplaced the belief of the folks of Punjab on ethical grounds. Instantly ship your resignation to the Punjab Governor,” Majithia mentioned in a social media publish.

Aam Aadmi Social gathering’s Moga MLA and occasion’s ladies wing president Dr Amandeep Kaur hit again making false allegations and attacking a person’s non-public life, status and character wouldn’t be accepted at any value. “When lies cross all limits, they are going to be answered not solely politically but in addition via authorized means,” she mentioned.

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Later within the day, Chief Minister Mann known as on Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and held a closed door assembly with him. “We have no idea what it was for,” mentioned an official. Just a few days in the past, the CM had met the Governor to hunt 10 days parole for former chief Minister Beant Singh’s murderer, Jagtar Singh Hawara.

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Categorical’ Punjab bureau. She is a extremely skilled journalist with 22 years of experience masking high-stakes politics, governance, and social points in Northern India.

Skilled Background
Position: Main reporter masking the Punjab Chief Minister’s Workplace (CMO), authorities insurance policies, and the Aam Aadmi Social gathering (AAP) management within the state.

Expertise: She beforehand labored with The Tribune and has performed a key position in launching varied metropolis editions.

Particular Initiatives:

Deserted Brides: Authored a monograph on brides deserted by NRIs as a part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship.

Surroundings: Labored as a Centre for Science and Surroundings (CSE) fellow, specializing in the air pollution ranges within the Satluj river.

Current Notable Articles (Late 2025)
Her current reporting focuses on the legislative methods and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab authorities:

1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs
“Punjab govt advances particular Meeting session to move decision in opposition to VB-G RAM G Invoice” (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state’s transfer to dam the Centre’s “Viksit Bharat” mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA.

“Punjab govt doubles down on particular classes, sixth in January” (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP authorities’s use of particular classes as a legislative software amid tensions with the Governor.

“Punjab asks ‘VIP lecturers’ working close to Chandigarh to return to frame districts” (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann’s transfer to finish the apply of influential lecturers avoiding postings in distant areas.

2. Political Evaluation & Rural Polls
“Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab” (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann’s rhetoric in opposition to the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following native physique elections.

“AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues” (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the outcomes of the 2025 rural elections.

“Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann” (Dec 13, 2025): Protecting the CM’s critique of the Congress management.

3. Legislation Enforcement & Forms
“Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement” (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic crimson tape involving the Election Fee and the state authorities.

“Punjab declines to offer parole to Amritpal Singh” (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state authorities’s refusal to grant parole to the unconventional preacher and sitting MP.

4. Welfare & Economic system
“Punjab authorities’s plan so as to add extra freebies to ‘atta-dal’ scheme hits funds roadblock” (Dec 4, 2024): An evaluation of the fiscal challenges dealing with the state’s flagship meals safety program.

“Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach” (Dec 2, 2025).

Signature Beat
Kanchan Vasdev is thought for her insider entry to Punjab’s political government. Her writing offers deep insights into how state insurance policies are formulated and the friction factors between the state authorities and central authorities. Her twin experience in atmosphere and legislation permits her to report on complicated points just like the “Farmhouse Coverage” (Dec 18, 2025) and river air pollution with a singular policy-oriented lens.

X (Twitter): @kanchan99 … Read More

Abhimanyu Hazarika is a Senior Correspondent with The Indian Categorical, primarily based in Gurgaon. He covers southern Haryana.

Schooling
– Publish-Graduate Diploma in Print Media, Asian School of Journalism (Class of 2020)
– B.A. (Hons) Liberal Arts with a serious in Political Science, Symbiosis College for Liberal Arts (Class of 2019)

Skilled Expertise
Earlier than becoming a member of The Indian Categorical, he labored with Bar & Bench (authorized journalism) and Frontline journal, the place he developed expertise in court docket reporting, authorized evaluation, and long-form investigative options.

Reporting Pursuits
His work centres on civic accountability, environmental coverage, city infrastructure and tradition, crime and legislation enforcement, and their intersections with politics and governance in and round Gurgaon.

Current Protection (2025)
– Crime: Reported on the restoration of 350 kg of explosives and an AK-47 from a rented home in Faridabad, linked to the 2025 Crimson Fort automotive explosion case (November 11, 2025).
– Environmental coverage: Lined protests outdoors a Haryana minister’s residence in opposition to a Supreme Court docket order that environmentalists argue may permit mining and actual property growth on massive components of the Aravalli hills (December 21, 2025).
– Air pollution management measures: Co-authored protection of the Rekha Gupta authorities’s enforcement of auto restrictions at Delhi-NCR borders (December 21, 2025).
– Highway security and infrastructure: Examined response lapses within the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway hit-and-run case and ongoing investigations into high-speed highway crimes in Gurugram.
– Animal welfare coverage: Reported on considerations concerning the low price range allotted for stray canine sterilization by the Municipal Company of Gurugram (November 30, 2025).
– City tradition: Featured the social media-driven reputation of a brand new Magnolia Bakery outlet in Gurugram (December 15, 2025).

Contact
X (Twitter): @AB_Hazardous … Read More