Chandigarh :
A court has restrained Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira and retired Justice Ranjit Singh from posting or circulating unverified or allegedly defamatory content against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s wife, Dr Gurpreet Kaur, on social media or through any other medium until further orders.
Dr Gurpreet Kaur filed a defamation petition against the three on September 8. The next hearing has been fixed for September 30.
The case concerns allegations by retired Justice Ranjit Singh that Dr Gurpreet Kaur allegedly demanded ₹5 crore in connection with a rape case and sought money to help get a case against a businessman cancelled. Dr Gurpreet Kaur has denied the allegations and accused the respondents of attempting to damage her reputation through social media posts and videos.
After examining the material, the court observed that the basis of the ₹5 crore allegation was not fully established before it and that the circulated videos and photographs were prima facie not supported by concrete evidence.
The court, however, did not immediately order removal of the disputed content, saying the respondents should first be given an opportunity to be heard. The matter will be taken up again on September 30.
