‘Defamatory’ posts: Mann's wife files plaint against Majithia, Harsimrat, Khaira

The complaint was filed against Shiromani Akali Dal leaders Bikram Singh Majithia, Harsimrat kaur Badal and Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira.

Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann’s wife Gurpreet Kaur has filed a criminal defamation complaint before a Chandigarh court against Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leaders Bikram Singh Majithia, Harsimrat kaur Badal and Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira over social media posts and public statements linking her to alleged ₹5-crore demand to help a rape accused.

The complaint has been filed over social media posts and public statements linking Gurpreet Kaur, Bhagwant Mann's wife, to alleged ₹5-crore demand to help a rape accused. (@AAPPunjab/X)

The complaint has been filed under Sections 210 (cognisance of offences by magistrate) and 222 (prosecution for defamation) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), invoking Section 356 (defamation) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). Kaur has sought that the three be summoned and prosecuted for criminal defamation.

Kaur’s complaint describes the September 1 press conference as the start of a “vilification campaign”, during which Majithia accused her of seeking cash through a relative to influence the state machinery for protection of a person accused of rape. It specifically says the material was subsequently uploaded and circulated through Majithia’s verified social media accounts on X, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube. It also refers to a graphic poster circulated on September 1 carrying a photograph of Kaur alongside an image described in the complaint as relating to the “BRF Rapist Protector Force”.