Akali Dal Leaders Detained During Protest Targeting Punjab CM’s Wife

Punjab police intercepted a protest march led by Shiromani Akali Dal figures on Saturday, detaining MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal and MLA Ganieve Kaur Majithia as they attempted to reach Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s residence. The demonstrators demanded accountability regarding allegations that the Chief Minister’s wife accepted a bribe to influence a criminal case.

Editorial·September 5, 2026·reads: 3,373

Akali Dal Leaders Detained During Protest Targeting Punjab CM’s Wife

The controversy centers on claims that Gurpreet Kaur, the Chief Minister’s wife, received Rs 5 crore to shield an individual accused of rape. These allegations prompted a formal inquiry notice from the National Human Rights Commission. Harsimrat Kaur Badal argued that the silence from the Chief Minister’s office undermines the security and dignity of women across Punjab.

Beyond the bribery accusations, the opposition leaders raised questions regarding the alleged involvement of the Chief Minister’s brother-in-law, Amardeep Singh. Badal claimed that individuals linked to the case were aided in fleeing the country, pointing toward potential police complicity. The party has now shifted its focus to the office of the Governor, submitting a formal dossier to Gulab Singh Kataria while pressing for a comprehensive investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation.