Mann's Wife Offers to Drop Ex-Judge From Defamation Suitਮਾਨ ਦੀ ਪਤਨੀ ਸਾਬਕਾ ਜੱਜ ਨੂੰ ਮਾਣਹਾਨੀ ਕੇਸ ਵਿੱਚੋਂ ਹਟਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਤਿਆਰ

Dr Gurpreet Kaur, the wife of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has told a Chandigarh court she is willing to drop former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Ranjit Singh from her defamation lawsuit, but only on a condition. Her counsel, advocate Sukhbir Singh, informed the court on Tuesday, 3 November, that she would agree to the case against the former judge being dismissed if he helps ensure that allegedly incomplete material published by a television journalist is removed from all social media platforms. The matter will be argued further on 25 November, with the two sides still at odds over the condition.

What did her counsel tell the court?

Advocate Sukhbir Singh argued that Dr Kaur did not have the former judge's full statement when the lawsuit was first filed. He said a legal notice had been sent to Justice Singh on 22 August seeking clarification, but no response was received at that time, and that Dr Kaur learned the judge's complete position only after the suit had been initiated. The counsel asserted there was no intentional concealment of facts on her part. On that basis, her side offered to drop the former judge from the case, subject to his help with removing the journalist's material from social media.

How has the former judge responded?

Justice Ranjit Singh had filed an application last month seeking Rs 50,000 in compensation under Section 95 of the Code of Civil Procedure, claiming that an interim injunction earlier granted against him in the case was obtained on insufficient grounds. On 8 September, the court vacated that ex parte interim injunction, noting that material facts had not been disclosed by the plaintiff when the relief was sought. His counsel, advocate Charanjit Singh Bakshi, challenged the latest proposal in court, questioning the plaintiff's conduct and alleging that she had not carried out a reasonable inquiry before launching the proceedings.

What is the defamation case about?

The lawsuit stems from public claims linking the Chief Minister's wife to an alleged demand of Rs 5 crore connected to an accused in a rape investigation. Dr Kaur has denied the allegations and sued Justice Ranjit Singh, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira and a television journalist for defamation. The bribery claim itself remains an allegation that has not been established in court. In August, the National Human Rights Commission took cognisance of a complaint from the former judge on the same allegations and sought a report from the Punjab government. The defamation suit is a civil case about the public statements made on the issue, and Tuesday's hearing was about whether one defendant, the former judge, will remain part of it.

What has Dr Gurpreet Kaur offered in court?

Through her counsel, she offered to drop former judge Justice Ranjit Singh from her defamation suit if he helps get allegedly incomplete material published by a television journalist removed from social media platforms.

When will the case be heard next?

The court has scheduled further arguments for 25 November, after counsel for the former judge challenged the conditions attached to the proposed withdrawal.

Who are the defendants in the defamation suit?

The suit names former judge Justice Ranjit Singh, Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia, Congress leader Sukhpal Singh Khaira and a television journalist. The underlying Rs 5 crore claim is an allegation Dr Kaur denies and no court has established.