States » NorthPosted at: Sep 16 2026 5:26PM


Punjab CM’s wife files criminal defamation case against Majithia, Harsimrat Badal, Khaira

Chandigarh, Sep 16 (UNI) Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s wife, Dr Gurpreet Kaur, has filed a criminal defamation complaint in a Chandigarh court against Shiromani Akali Dal leaders Bikram Singh Majithia and Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira over allegations linking her to an alleged Rs 5-crore demand to help an accused in a rape case.
Kaur has approached the court under Sections 210 and 222 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, in relation to the offence of defamation under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, according to the complaint. Defamation under the provision can attract imprisonment of up to two years, a fine, or both.
The criminal complaint follows legal notices in which Kaur had sought an apology over the allegations. According to her case, the three leaders did not withdraw their statements or apologise within the time sought.
Kaur, a medical professional, has told the court that the allegations damaged her standing both personally and publicly.
She described the charges against her as “baseless and false” and said she had been portrayed as someone who sought to help an accused in a rape case in return for money.
The dispute stems in part from a September 1 press conference by Majithia in Chandigarh, where he sought an independent investigation into an alleged Rs 5-crore demand connected with the rape case and presented purported audio recordings, photographs and CCTV material. Majithia had sought either a CBI investigation or a probe monitored by the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
Kaur has challenged the authenticity and interpretation of the material. In her complaint, she said she had been specifically targeted through what she described as false audio recordings, photographs, and CCTV footage used to suggest that people close to her were involved in financial dealings.
The allegations have not been established in court. AAP has previously rejected them as baseless and demanded evidence from those making the charges.
Kaur told the court that the accusations had caused serious harm to her “image, honour and individual identity”, particularly by portraying her as helping a rape accused for financial consideration.
She has sought the summoning of Majithia, Badal and Khaira to face the criminal defamation proceedings and punishment under Section 356 of the BNS if the charge is proved.
The latest complaint adds a criminal proceeding to an already-running legal battle over the allegations.
In a separate civil case filed by Kaur, Chandigarh Civil Judge (Junior Division) Dr Prikshit earlier restrained Majithia, Khaira and retired Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Ranjit Singh from publishing or circulating unverified defamatory material concerning the alleged bribe demand until further orders.
The court said at that stage that material placed before it raised questions over the basis of the allegations and that Kaur had made out a prima facie case. It stressed the need to balance freedom of speech with an individual’s right to reputation.
“Reputation is an integral part of the dignity of each individual,” the court observed while passing the interim order.
It did not, however, immediately order deletion of the disputed posts, videos and photographs, holding that the defendants should first be heard before such relief was granted. The next hearing in that civil case is scheduled for September 30.
UNI NB RSA
Tags: #Punjab CM’s wife files criminal defamation case against Majithia# Harsimrat Badal# Khaira
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