NEW DELHI, Aug 22: The NHRC has issued a notice to the Punjab government and its police chief over a complaint alleging that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s wife demanded Rs 5 crore to suppress a rape case, officials said on Saturday.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) directed the authorities to inquire into the allegation and submit an action taken report within two weeks.
No immediate reaction was available from the Punjab government.
“The complainant alleged that a retired judge publicly stated that a demand of Rs 5 crore was made in connection with a rape case, allegedly involving the wife of the chief minister of Punjab,” the proceedings dated August 21 read.
An NHRC official said the Commission has taken cognisance of the allegation of the complainant that the wife of Chief Minister Mann sought Rs 5 crore to suppress a rape case. According to the complaint, the allegation has been levelled by a former Punjab judge, the official said.
The complaint, filed by Legal Rights Observatory (LRO), raised concerns that such “interference” could compromise the victim’s right to dignity, safety, fair investigation and access to justice, they said.
“The complainant alleged that a retired judge publicly stated that a demand of Rs 5 crore was made in connection with a rape case, allegedly involving the wife of the chief minister of Punjab,” the proceedings dated August 21 read.
An NHRC official said the Commission has taken cognisance of the allegation of the complainant that the wife of Chief Minister Mann sought Rs 5 crore to suppress a rape case. According to the complaint, the allegation has been levelled by a former Punjab judge, the official said.
The complaint, filed by Legal Rights Observatory (LRO), raised concerns that such “interference” could compromise the victim’s right to dignity, safety, fair investigation and access to justice, they said. (Agencies)
