CHANDIGARH: The NHRC has issued notices to the Punjab government and the state police chief over a complaint alleging that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s wife demanded Rs 5 crore to suppress a rape case, officials said.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) directed the authorities to inquire into the allegation and submit an action taken report within two weeks.
No immediate reaction was available from the Punjab government.
“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 Punjab judge, the official said.
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, they 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.
“The registry is directed to issue a notice to the chief secretary of the Punjab government, and the DGP of Punjab, with directions to ‘get the allegations made in the complaint inquired into, and to submit an action taken report within two weeks for perusal of the Commission’,” the bench said.
“Let a copy of this proceeding be also transmitted to the Joint Secretary, Women Safety Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi, for information,” it said.
Shiromani Akali Dal MP Harshimrat Kaur Badal wrote on X, "Allegations of 5 crore corruption against the wife of guru Dokhi CM @bhagwantmann are so serious that the National Human Rights Commission had to step in. Can’t wait to see the Action Taken Report from Punjab’s Chief Secretary and DGP! Gentle Reminder: The deadline is 2 weeks! Save this tweet @aappunjab ~ I’ll ask you again on Sept 5!’’