Chandigarh-Independent journalist Rattandeep Singh Dhaliwal (@Rattan1990) flagged a significant legal development on Thursday, posting that a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the High Court against the wife of the Punjab Chief Minister.@Rattan1990
The post, accompanied by court-related graphics, quickly drew attention amid ongoing controversies surrounding the Aam Aadmi Party government in Punjab.The matter aligns with a petition taken up by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. Advocate Shailender Singh filed the plea seeking transfer of an inquiry to the CBI or another independent agency, citing allegations against “important persons.”
The petition refers to a May 24 complaint submitted to the Senior Superintendent of Police, SAS Nagar (Mohali). It alleges that a person described as a relative of the sitting Chief Minister was involved in filing false complaints, including honey-trapping cases through female associates, and then demanding large sums of money to settle those criminal cases. The same person is said to have claimed close connections with senior political leaders and government officials, including the wife of the Chief Minister. Audio and electronic material was reportedly attached to the original complaint.
The petitioner argued that no FIR was registered for a considerable period and that the original complainant was allegedly threatened and pressured to withdraw the complaint. These circumstances, the plea states, raise doubts about the independence and fairness of any investigation by state police. It also references separate public allegations by retired Justice Ranjit Singh regarding demands of money in rape-related FIRs and notes that the National Human Rights Commission issued a notice on August 21 directing the Punjab Chief Secretary and DGP to submit an action-taken report.
A Bench of Acting Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Yashvir Singh Rathor has listed the matter for September 8. The court has specifically asked counsel to address the petitioner’s locus standi to maintain the PIL. The state counsel opposed the petition, arguing that the petitioner is neither the original complainant nor has he specified the source of the information.
This development comes against the backdrop of other legal and political flashpoints involving the Chief Minister’s family. Dr. Gurpreet Kaur, wife of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, recently sent a legal notice to retired Justice Ranjit Singh after he publicly alleged she demanded Rs 5 crore to suppress a rape case. The NHRC had taken cognizance of those claims. She has denied the allegations.
Dhaliwal, a Bathinda-based journalist known for his digital platforms “Talk with Rattan,” has himself been involved in multiple High Court proceedings against AAP MLAs and the state government over complaints and content takedowns. His latest post underscores growing scrutiny of alleged influence networks around the Chief Minister’s office.The High Court has not yet ruled on the merits of the allegations. All claims remain unproven and will be examined on the next date of hearing. The state government has so far treated the petition as premature and lacking proper standing.
Referance-thetribuneindia@indianexpress
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