AAP’s Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal defended CM Bhagwant Mann and his wife over an NHRC notice, calling it a routine legal process. The notice follows a complaint alleging Mann’s wife attempted to hush up a rape case for a bribe of Rs 5 crore.
Aam Aadmi Party leader Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal on Saturday defended Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his wife, Gurpreet Kaur, over a National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) notice, saying that making accusations is easy but proving them legally requires substantial effort. Dhaliwal’s remarks come after the NHRC issued a notice following allegations involving Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s wife, Gurpreet Kaur.
Speaking to reporters, the AAP MLA emphasised that exchange of notices between parties is standard legal practice and cautioned against concluding before the procedure runs its course. “It is a part of the legal process. Such legal procedures are routine; notices are exchanged between parties. The truth will only emerge later,” Dhaliwal told ANI.
He further added that making claims against someone is simple, but substantiating them remains the key hurdle. “Accusing anyone is easy, but proving those claims is a big task. Once they successfully do that, I will comment on the matter,” the AAP MLA said.
NHRC Issues Notice on Bribery Allegations
Earlier, the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to the Punjab government over a complaint alleging that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s wife attempted to hush up a rape case in exchange for a bribe.
NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo said the Commission received the complaint from former Punjab and Haryana High Court Justice Ranjit Singh. “We have received a complaint from former Punjab-Haryana High Court Justice Ranjit Singh alleging that the wife of Punjab CM Bhagwant Man attempted to hush up a rape case in exchange for a bribe of Rs 5 crore. It is a matter of concern when such an allegation is levelled against a person holding a top position in a state regarding a case involving the safety of women and children,” Kanoongo told ANI on Saturday.
Commission Seeks Action Taken Report
The NHRC Bench headed by Kanoongo has directed the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Punjab, to inquire into the matter and submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within two weeks. The Commission has also forwarded the matter to the Women Safety Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
The Commission will take further action on the basis of the Action Taken Report, it said. (ANI)
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