ED summons Punjab CM Mann's relative in alleged Rs 5-crore payoff case linked to rape FIR
Neeraj Bali
Chandigarh, Oct 6 (UNI) India's Enforcement Directorate has summoned a relative of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann for questioning in connection with allegations that Rs 5 crore was sought to settle a rape case, according to people familiar with the matter. Amardeep Singh Grewal is the brother-in-law of Mann's wife, Dr Gurpreet Kaur.
He has been associated with East Sunshine Production Private Limited and the Punjabi film industry, including projects such as 'Maujaan Hi Maujaan and Snowman'. The ED summons add another layer to a politically sensitive case that has already reached the Punjab and Haryana High Court and drawn the attention of the National Human Rights Commission. The allegations have been denied by Gurpreet Kaur, while the claims against Grewal have not been established in court. It was not immediately clear what specific information the ED would seek from him during questioning.
The case stems from an FIR registered at Sohana police station in Mohali on May 1 against Gurvinder Singh, also known as Guri Chahal, following a complaint by a 26-year-old woman. The woman accused Chahal of rape, blackmail, and criminal intimidation, among other allegations. The allegations against him have not been proven in court. During subsequent litigation, allegations surfaced that Rs 5 crore had been sought in connection with efforts to have the criminal case withdrawn or settled. Grewal's name figured in petitions before the Punjab and Haryana High Court alleging that political influence was being used in connection with the case.
A petition filed by Simranjit Singh Hundal, described as a friend of Chahal, also contained allegations concerning Grewal and an alleged demand for crores of rupees to resolve the case. These remain allegations, and the court has not held Grewal guilty of demanding or accepting any money. The controversy prompted the Punjab and Haryana High Court on July 20 to order that the investigation be taken away from the local police and entrusted to a senior police officer under the supervision of a Special Director General of Police. The court took note of allegations concerning an alleged Rs 5-crore demand and claims of political influence, but did not pronounce on their veracity.
The allegations subsequently triggered a political confrontation after retired Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Ranjit Singh publicly referred to claims made in the court proceedings. Opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party, targeted the Punjab government over the issue and referred to an alleged audio recording while demanding an independent investigation. Gurpreet Kaur has strongly rejected allegations linking her to any attempt to influence or settle the case, describing the claims as false and defamatory.
She also initiated legal action over the allegations, including sending a legal notice to Justice Ranjit Singh after his public remarks. The National Human Rights Commission separately took cognisance of the controversy and issued notices to Punjab's Chief Secretary and Director General of Police, seeking an action-taken report. The ED summons do not constitute a finding of wrongdoing against Grewal. Any allegation of a Rs 5-crore payoff or attempted mediation remains subject to investigation and judicial scrutiny.
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