The BJP joined the chorus demanding the resignation of Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann over allegations that his wife demanded Rs 5 crore to suppress a rape case.
Leaders of other opposition parties in Punjab, including the Shiromani Akali Dal and the Congress, have also demanded the resignation of Bhagwant Singh Mann.
“The NHRC notice is a very serious matter. The allegations are also very serious. Nothing less than an independent investigation will do,” BJP leader Iqbal Singh Lalpura said today.
Iqbal Singh made the statement in regards to the recent notice sent by NHRC to the Punjab government and its police chief over a complaint alleging that Mann’s wife sought Rs 5 crore to suppress a rape case. The NHRC has sought a report within two weeks.
In response on Saturday, Gurpreet Kaur sent a legal notice to former Punjab judge Justice Ranjit Singh, who NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo said had given the complaint. The former judge is also the brother-in-law of Congress leader Sukhpal Khaira.
Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring said Mann must clarify the matter immediately.
“The chief minister should give his clarification on the issue. Why such allegations have been levelled, what is the matter, he should clarify,” he said.
The AAP women wing chief Amandeep Kaur Arora dismissed the allegations as baseless and cited the legal action the chief minister’s wife has initiated.
“It is easy to make allegations and baseless claims, but we are fully prepared to face all such accusations head-on. I have never been intimidated in the past and will not be intimidated now. Anyone speaking against me should first get their facts straight, otherwise, they should be prepared to face legal notices and legal action,” Gurpreet Kaur said.
“When lies cross all limits, the response has to be not only political but also legal. Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira’s brother-in-law, Ranjit Singh, recently levelled false allegations against Dr Gurpreet Kaur. She has sent him a legal notice, asking him to apologise within 24 hours, failing which he will face legal proceedings in court,” Arora said in a media interaction.