BJP alleges Punjab CM, his wife running Rs 5 crore rape syndicate, cites audio recordings and NHRC probe
The allegations are linked to a case involving Instagram influencer Gurvinder Singh Chahal, who was released by Punjab Police earlier this week, months after being arrested for allegedly abducting and raping a woman.
PTC News Desk: The Bharatiya Janta Party on Thursday launched a scathing attack on the Aam Admi Party-led government alleging that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his wife Dr. Gurpreet Kaur were running a syndicate through middlemen in which cases are being settled in exchange of Rs 5 crore.
The allegations are linked to a case involving Instagram influencer Gurvinder Singh Chahal, who was released by Punjab Police earlier this week, months after being arrested for allegedly abducting and raping a woman.
BJP national spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari says, "Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his wife, through middlemen, are involved in attempts to suppress legitimate rape cases in exchange for bribes of up to Rs 5 crore. These middlemen, on their instructions, have innovated a new model of corruption, which we call the Aam Aadmi Party's loot model, in which these middlemen are taking bribes of up to Rs 5 crore to suppress rape cases."
"The clips prima facie raise serious questions about whether the CM is personally intervening to end a case. Has the CM's residence become a place where deals are struck and cut money reaches Punjab's 'Super CM' Arvind Kejriwal?" he further said.
The controversy has become a significant flashpoint ahead of Punjab Assembly Elections in 2027.
Earlier in the day, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) met Punjab Governor and demanded a CBI investigation into alleged corruption in the Chief Minister's Office and claims of an attempt to protect a rape accused. Sukhbir Singh Badal made the allegations after leading a senior SAD delegation to Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on Thursday. The delegation raised concerns over the law and order situation and demanded a CBI investigation into the allegations.
The SAD leader also demanded the immediate removal of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and sought action against officials allegedly involved in the matter.
The development comes days after the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) issued a notice to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's wife over allegations that Rs 5 crore was demanded to protect Chahal in the rape case.