Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Akali Dal Women Protest, Seek FIR Against Punjab CM’s Wife
Women from the Shiromani Akali Dal protested in Chandigarh.
They wanted Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann to resign.
They also wanted police to register a case against his wife, Gurpreet Kaur.
The demand followed allegations that Rs 5 crore was sought to stop action in a rape case.
Gurpreet Kaur said the allegations were baseless.
Police used barricades and detained some senior protesters.
Other women continued protesting and sat on the road.
The party also asked for protection for the complainants and an independent investigation.
A Shiromani Akali Dal delegation had separately asked Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to intervene on September 3.
Istri Akali Dal activists led by Harsimrat Kaur Badal protested in Chandigarh, demanding Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s resignation and an FIR against his wife, Gurpreet Kaur.
The demands followed allegations that Gurpreet Kaur sought Rs 5 crore to suppress a rape case; she rejected the charges as baseless.
Police barricaded the route to the chief minister’s residence and detained several leaders, while protesters staged a road sit-in and raised slogans.
Harsimrat Kaur Badal alleged that audio and visual evidence showed a relative of Gurpreet Kaur negotiating a Rs 5 crore deal with an associate of the accused.
The Shiromani Akali Dal demanded arrests, protection for the alleged rape victims, action against police officers and an independent Central Bureau of Investigation probe.
- Who
- Istri Akali Dal activists led by Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Ganieve Kaur Majithia and Hargobind Kaur; the allegations concern Gurpreet Kaur, wife of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
- What
- The activists protested and demanded Bhagwant Mann’s resignation, an FIR against Gurpreet Kaur, arrests and an independent probe.
- When
- The protest took place on a Saturday; a Shiromani Akali Dal delegation met Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on September 3.
- Where
- Chandigarh, near the Shiromani Akali Dal office in Sector 28 and outside the Punjab chief minister’s residence.
- Why
- The protesters alleged that Rs 5 crore was sought to suppress a rape case and accused the chief minister’s office and police of favoring the accused; Gurpreet Kaur denied the allegations.
Shiromani Akali Dal’s allegations
Gurpreet Kaur’s response
Demand for an FIR
Shiromani Akali Dal’s allegations
The Shiromani Akali Dal demanded that police register a criminal case against Gurpreet Kaur and alleged that Rs 5 crore was sought to suppress a rape case.
Gurpreet Kaur’s response
Gurpreet Kaur rejected the allegations and described them as baseless.
Alleged deal and case handling
Shiromani Akali Dal’s allegations
Harsimrat Kaur Badal alleged that audio and visual evidence showed a relative of Gurpreet Kaur negotiating with an associate of the accused, and said the accused was later released and allowed to leave for the United States.
Gurpreet Kaur’s response
The articles report no detailed response from Gurpreet Kaur, Bhagwant Mann or police addressing these specific allegations.
Government and police accountability
Shiromani Akali Dal’s allegations
The Akali Dal alleged that the chief minister’s office and police favored the accused, seeking action against officers and an independent Central Bureau of Investigation inquiry.
Gurpreet Kaur’s response
The articles do not provide a detailed government or police response to these claims.
- Protesting organization
- Istri Akali Dal, the women’s wing of the Shiromani Akali Dal
- Protest leader
- Harsimrat Kaur Badal, Bathinda MP and former Union minister
- Main demands
- Bhagwant Mann’s resignation and registration of an FIR against Gurpreet Kaur
- Alleged amount
- Rs 5 crore
- Police response
- Police deployed heavy force, erected barricades and detained several protesters
- Additional demands
- Protection for the rape-case complainants, action against police officers and a Central Bureau of Investigation probe
- Response to allegations
- Gurpreet Kaur called the charges baseless
- Earlier appeal
- A Shiromani Akali Dal delegation asked Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria on September 3 to support an independent probe
