NHRC seeks Punjab report on allegation against CM Mann’s wife over Rs 5 crore rape-case claim

A complaint attributed to former judge Justice Ranjit Singh has prompted the NHRC to direct Punjab’s Chief Secretary and DGP to investigate the Rs 5 crore allegation

PGurus Newsdesk

August 22, 2026

The NHRC has sought an inquiry into an allegation involving Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s wife and an alleged Rs 5 crore demand linked to a rape case

Punjab Chief Secretary and DGP asked to submit action-taken report

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognisance of an allegation that Gurpreet Kaur, wife of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, sought Rs 5 crore to suppress a rape case.

The complaint was attributed to former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Ranjit Singh. Acting on the complaint, an NHRC Bench headed by member Priyank Kanoongo directed the Punjab Chief Secretary and Director General of Police to inquire into the allegations and submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within two weeks.

The Commission has also forwarded the matter to the Women Safety Division of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. It said further action would be considered after receiving the report from the Punjab authorities.

NHRC orders inquiry into serious allegation

The complaint alleges that Gurpreet Kaur sought Rs 5 crore in connection with an attempt to suppress a rape case. The allegation has not been established, and the NHRC’s move at this stage is to seek an inquiry and report from the state authorities.

NHRC member Priyank Kanoongo said the complaint raised concern because it involved an allegation relating to the safety of women and children and was made against a person connected to the state’s highest political office.

The Punjab Chief Secretary and DGP have been asked to examine the matter and report back to the Commission. The NHRC will decide its next course of action after receiving the findings.

Matter referred to Centre’s women safety division

Alongside seeking a report from Punjab, the rights panel has brought the matter to the attention of the Women Safety Division of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

The development comes amid increased scrutiny of the Punjab government by the NHRC on separate issues. On August 19, the Commission had sought a detailed report from the state government over allegations that Independence Day celebrations were not held in some government schools in rural, remote and border areas.

The latest case, however, concerns a specific allegation against the Punjab Chief Minister’s wife and will now be examined by the state’s top administrative and police authorities.

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