Harsimrat Kaur Badal leads Bathinda protest over Rs 5 crore allegation against Punjab CM’s wife

PTC Web Desk: Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) MP from Bathinda, Harsimrat Kaur Badal, on Monday joined an Istri Akali Dal protest in Rampura Phul over allegations of a Rs 5-crore demand linked to a rape case involving Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s wife, Dr Gurpreet Kaur.

The SAD leader visited Nathana and Rampura Phul in Bathinda district. At Gurdwara Akalgarh in Rampura Phul, the women's wing of the party organised a gathering where Harsimrat Kaur Badal addressed party workers and supporters.

The protest centred on allegations that Rs 5 crore was sought in connection with an attempt to influence a rape case. Dr Gurpreet Kaur has rejected the allegations as baseless. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had earlier taken cognisance of the matter and sought an action-taken report from the Punjab government and the police.

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After the gathering, Istri Akali Dal workers, led by Harsimrat Kaur Badal, took out a march towards the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate (SDM). The protesters raised slogans against the state government and demanded action in the matter.

Memorandum submitted to SDM

The protesters submitted a memorandum to Rampura Phul SDM Gurpreet Singh. They demanded an impartial investigation into the Rs 5-crore allegation and strict action in rape cases and against the illegal drug trade.

Addressing the gathering, Harsimrat Kau Badal also criticised the Punjab Government over the state's drug problem. She alleged that drug abuse continues to affect families across Punjab and accused the government of failing to take effective steps to deal with the issue.

She said that if the SAD returns to power, the party would take steps to ensure justice for people and tackle the drug problem in the state.

The protest was attended by former Punjab minister Sikander Singh Maluka and several other SAD leaders and Istri Akali Dal workers.

Background to the Rs 5-crore allegation

The controversy began after allegations were raised that Dr Gurpreet Kaur had sought Rs 5 crore to suppress or influence a rape case. The NHRC subsequently directed the Punjab Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to inquire into the allegations and submit a report. Gurpreet Kaur has denied the charges and described them as baseless.