BJP accuses AAP leaders of ₹5-crore bribery network to withdraw rape cases in Punjab
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Friday accused Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and his wife of running a bribery network that demanded up to ₹5 crore to withdraw rape cases in the state. The allegations were made at a press conference by BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari, who claimed that audio recordings had surfaced in Punjab revealing what he called a new “loot and corruption racket” under the “AAP Loot Model”.
Mr. Bhandari cited the case of a rape accused who was arrested on May 13 and granted bail on July 10. He said three audio recordings raised questions about the alleged role of the Chief Minister’s office in the matter. The BJP leader sought a clarification from Mr. Kejriwal and Mr. Mann on the recordings.
The BJP’s accusations come days after the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) took cognisance of allegations that the Chief Minister’s wife sought ₹5 crore to suppress a rape case. The NHRC has reportedly sought a report from the Punjab government in connection with the complaint.
Mr. Bhandari did not provide the audio recordings to the media during the press conference, nor did he present any documentary evidence to substantiate the claims. He described the alleged scheme as a “racket” run through middlemen in the state, but did not name any intermediary or provide details of how the money was allegedly transferred.
As of this report, there has been no official response from the AAP leadership or the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office to the allegations. The ruling party in Punjab has previously dismissed BJP statements as politically motivated attempts to defame its government.
It is important to note that the latest charges are part of an ongoing political rivalry between the BJP and AAP in Punjab, where both parties have contested fiercely in recent elections. The allegations are serious but remain unverified. They have not been tested in any court of law, and no formal complaint has been filed with the police or judiciary by the BJP so far, according to available information.
Political analysts point out that such accusations, especially during election seasons or when a party is in opposition, need to be scrutinised through due process. The NHRC’s involvement adds a layer of institutional oversight, but the commission’s cognisance does not amount to a finding of guilt.
The Punjab Police and the state’s legal machinery have not announced any investigation into the allegations made by the BJP spokesperson. It remains to be seen whether the party will submit the purported audio recordings to the authorities for forensic examination and verification.
In the interest of public clarity, citizens should await either an independent inquiry or a formal complaint by the BJP before drawing conclusions. Until then, all claims should be treated as allegations from a political party, carrying the same weight as similar statements made during election campaigns.
