Chandigarh :
Senior Punjab Congress leader and Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa has issued a legal notice to suspended party leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu, demanding a public apology for allegedly making “false and defamatory” remarks against him, warning of criminal action in case of non-compliance.
The notice comes after Kaur, wife of former Punjab Congress president Navjot Singh Sidhu, claimed that “one who gives a suitcase of Rs 500 crore becomes the chief minister,” a statement that sparked a political row within the party. Following this, the Punjab Congress suspended Kaur from its primary membership on Monday.
Randhawa, also the Congress in-charge for Rajasthan, objected to Kaur’s allegations of corruption in party ticket distribution. His legal counsel stated that her remarks on December 7 and 8, widely circulated in media and on social platforms, were baseless, malicious, and intended to malign his character. The notice cited Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023, and demanded an unconditional apology to be published within seven days, failing which criminal defamation proceedings will be initiated.
Responding to Kaur’s allegations, Randhawa questioned how much money was allegedly paid when Navjot Singh Sidhu became minister and later Punjab Congress chief, asserting that such internal claims posed a greater threat to the party than external opposition.
The incident has intensified internal tensions within the Punjab Congress as the party navigates the pre-election political scenario.
