CHANDIGARH, Sept. 25, 2026: In a significant development in the controversy surrounding the alleged ₹5-crore demand linked to an Amritsar rape case, a Chandigarh court has vacated the ex-parte interim injunction that had restrained retired Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Ranjit Singh from publishing or circulating allegedly defamatory material concerning Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s wife, Dr Gurpreet Kaur.
The order was passed by Civil Judge (Junior Division) Dr Prikshit while allowing an application filed by Justice Ranjit Singh. The earlier injunction, issued on September 8, had also covered SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia and Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira.
Court questions basis of injunction
Justice Ranjit Singh’s counsel argued that the retired judge had referred during his August 20 press conference to material contained in a High Court order concerning the rape case. The defence maintained that referring to facts recorded in a court order could not, by itself, constitute defamation.
The court, while considering the application, noted that the alleged press conference had taken place about a month after the relevant High Court order. It also observed that Justice Ranjit Singh, as president of the Punjab Human Rights Organisation, had an implied responsibility to monitor alleged human-rights violations within his area of work.
On that basis, the court held that the case was appropriate for invoking Order 39 Rule 4 of the Code of Civil Procedure and vacated the injunction against Justice Ranjit Singh.
Fresh legal questions remain
Importantly, the court has not finally adjudicated the truth or falsity of the ₹5-crore allegation. The order specifically states that the existence of a cause of action against Justice Ranjit Singh remains to be established at the next stage. Arguments concerning the maintainability of the suit are scheduled for October 6, when the parties are also expected to appear and respond to the stay application.
The court also observed that Justice Ranjit Singh could pursue a separate claim for compensation if he believed the injunction had been obtained against him on insufficient grounds.
Background of the controversy
The controversy began after retired Justice Ranjit Singh publicly referred to an alleged ₹5-crore demand in connection with an Amritsar rape case, which he said was reflected in proceedings before the High Court. Dr Gurpreet Kaur has denied the allegation and initiated legal proceedings against those who publicly linked her to the alleged demand.
The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) had separately taken cognisance of a complaint concerning the allegations and directed the Punjab Chief Secretary and DGP to conduct an inquiry and submit an Action Taken Report.
The dispute therefore continues on two separate legal tracks— the defamation proceedings and the underlying allegations concerning the rape case. Today’s order changes the interim position concerning Justice Ranjit Singh, but it does not amount to a final judicial finding on the ₹5-crore allegation itself.