SAD Targets Dr. Gurpeet on Suppressing Rape Case; Social Media Influencer Dies

September

2026

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) chief Sukhbir Singh Badal met Panjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria and sought a Central Bureau of Investigation into the alleged financial transactions to facilitate the release of social media influencer Gurinder Singh alias Guri Chahal accused in at least five rape cases. The case pertains to Panjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s wife, Dr. Gurpreet Kaur Mann, allegedly seeking USD 524K to suppress the cases and release Chahal. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had directed the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, Panjab, to hold an inquiry and submit an action-taken report by 6 Sep. The report has not been submitted. SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithja on 2 Sep said, 'I was shocked to learn that Guri, who was arrested in a rape case and also facing other offenses, was released in July and had fled to the US.' Others supposedly involved in the case include Panjabi film person Simranjit Singh Hundal who denies involvement and Dr. Gurpreet’s brother-in-law Amardeep Singh Grewal. The issue was first raised by the Punjab Human Rights Organisation (PHRO) chief, retired Justice Ranjit Singh. When he raised the issue, the Panjab government threatened to send him a notice which never arrived. PHRO legal wing head Advocate Sarabjeet Singh Verka said, 'The police had found a lot of incriminating evidence on Chahal's phone which included videos of various women, arms, and ammunition. If the case is probed, a lot of unsavory truths will be revealed.' Meanwhile, Panjabi social media influencer Manjit Kaur has died at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh, almost two months after she was allegedly assaulted and set on fire. 28-year-old Manjit was allegedly kidnapped by her two acquaintances—Shubhi and Pinda—after they called her near a liquor shop in Sector 34, Chandigarh on 3 Jul. Shubhi and Pinda took 28-year-old Manjit to Morinda in Panjab, where they assaulted her, tied her to a tree, and set her on fire. Manjit's friend reached the spot and used a blanket to put out the fire before rushing her to a hospital in Morinda and then to PGIMER. Manjit regained consciousness on 5 Aug, but police did not record her statement. Manjit's mother Kanta Devi is left alone to look after Manjit's seven-year-old son and conduct the final prayers (earlier coverage).