CM Mann’s Wife Accused of Suppressing Rape Case; NHRC Takes Cognizance

August

2026

The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has taken cognizance of allegations that Panjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s wife Dr. Gurpreet Kaur Mann had sought USD 524K to suppress a rape case. The allegation of suppression was made by former Panjab and Haryana High Court Justice Ranjit Singh (retd). NHRC has directed the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Panjab, to hold an inquiry and submit an action-taken report within two weeks and forwarded the matter to the Women Safety Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. Meanwhile, three women climbed a 60-feet water tank at the District Courts Complex, Barnala on 19 Aug, threatening to jump if immediate action was not taken against the three men who had allegedly sexually exploited them on the pretext of marriage. The women claimed that despite filing police complaints nearly a month ago, no action was taken, forcing them to take the step. The police registered three First Information Reports based on women’s complaints, following which they came down after nine hours. Taking sou-motto cognizance of the matter, the Punjab State and Chandigarh Human Rights Commission has sought a report from the Barnala Senior Superintendent of Police before the hearing in the matter on 27 Oct. Concurrently, the Ludhiana district police registered a case after a woman alleged she was forced into prostitution by her family after marital disputes with her husband. The police registered a case against the woman’s parents, brother, and a family acquaintance. The woman married a Mumbai-based man in 2013 but returned to her parental home a couple of times following disputes. During her stay in Mumbai, her family members, and acquaintances forced her into prostitution again and again. She registered a case with Mumbai police which was later transferred to Ludhiana. Additionally, a Border Security Force personnel on leave allegedly beat his wife to death in Badhalian village, Hoshiarpur district. The accused has been arrested. Additionally, National Commission for Women Chairperson, Vijaya Rahatkar, visited the Central Jail Hoshiarpur on 19 Aug and interacted with women inmates, urging them to prepare for a better life in the mainstream after completing their sentences. Rahatkar stressed the importance of free legal aid, skill development, rehabilitation, and economic empowerment to facilitate their dignified reintegration into society (earlier coverage).