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The controversy erupted after Kaur alleged that those who “give ₹500 crore” are made chief ministers. Following the row, on Monday, Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring issued an order suspending Kaur from the party’s primary membership.
Chandigarh: Senior Punjab Congress leader and Gurdaspur MP Sukhjinder Singh Randhawa on Tuesday served a legal notice to suspended party leader Navjot Kaur Sidhu, demanding an unconditional public apology for allegedly making “false and defamatory” corruption allegations against him.
The notice follows Kaur’s recent explosive claim that “₹500 crore decides who becomes Chief Minister,” a remark that led to her suspension from the Congress on Monday.
Randhawa’s counsel said Kaur made “baseless and malicious” allegations during her media interactions on December 7 and 8, including claims that he took money for distribution of party tickets in Rajasthan.
“These statements were made without evidence, with the intention to malign my client’s character and reputation,” the notice stated, adding that the remarks constitute defamation under Section 356 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), 2023.
The notice further argued that Kaur’s remarks “do not fall under any exception to defamation” and were driven by “political rivalry or personal vendetta.” Randhawa maintains he has “upheld the highest standards of probity” and has never engaged in corrupt practices.
Kaur has been asked to issue a public apology within seven days, published prominently across the same media platforms where her statements appeared. Failing this, Randhawa has threatened criminal defamation proceedings before a Batala court under BNS provisions.
The controversy erupted after Kaur alleged that those who “give ₹500 crore” are made chief ministers. When asked whether she or Navjot Singh Sidhu had been approached for money, she replied that no demand was made, but insisted that the political system rewards those who can pay. She also claimed Sidhu would return to active politics only if the Congress declared him its chief ministerial face.
Hitting back, Randhawa on Monday questioned how much her husband “paid” when he was made minister and later Punjab Congress president, remarking that the biggest threat to the party comes from “people within.”
Following the row, Punjab Congress chief Amrinder Singh Raja Warring issued an order suspending Kaur from the party’s primary membership with immediate effect.
