Harsimrat Badal Moves NCW Against Punjab CM, Wife Over Rape Case Handling

Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) leader Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Tuesday approached the National Commission for Women (NCW) in Delhi, filing a formal complaint against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his wife, Gurpreet Kaur. She has demanded an independent Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) inquiry into allegations that the state government shielded a rape accused.

In a post on X, Badal said she submitted evidence to the NCW and sought a probe into what she termed a 'Satkar Nahin Balatkaar' (respect, not rape) regime. She added that the commission assured her of assistance, expressing hope that the matter would lead to justice for the women involved.

Badal alleged that the dignity of a woman was "being sold for Rs 5 crore," and claimed that five women who sought justice against a rape accused were threatened and harassed by the Punjab government. She further alleged that the victims were forced to withdraw their complaints, and that the accused was given a "free passage" to escape. She noted that no FIR has been registered in the matter so far.

The SAD leader also levelled broader accusations against the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, claiming the state's situation has worsened over five years. She alleged that the government has accumulated a debt of Rs 5 lakh crore without visible assets or relief for any section of society. Badal further claimed that the Chief Minister's residence had become a "hub of drugs" and that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had repeatedly sent notices alleging that the CM's Officer on Special Duty (OSD) and close associates accepted money for transfers and postings. She alleged that raids on their premises recovered cash, including Rs 8 crore from the homes of favoured Deputy Inspector Generals (DIGs).

There was no immediate response from Bhagwant Mann or Gurpreet Kaur to the allegations.