Chandigarh: A Chandigarh court has vacated the interim restraint order issued against retired Punjab and Haryana High Court judge Justice Ranjit Singh in a defamation case filed by Dr Gurpreet Kaur, wife of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
Civil Judge (Junior Division) Dr Prikshit allowed an application filed by Justice (Retd.) Ranjit Singh and set aside the ex-parte interim order dated September 8, which had restrained him from publishing, circulating or making unverified defamatory content concerning Gurpreet Kaur through social media or any other medium.
The case concerns allegations made by Ranjit Singh regarding an alleged demand of ₹5 crore in connection with a rape case. Gurpreet Kaur has denied the allegations and approached the court, seeking damages and an injunction over what she described as defamatory and unverified claims.
September 8 Court Order Had Restrained Three Respondents
On September 8, the Chandigarh District Court had granted interim relief to Gurpreet Kaur and restrained Justice Ranjit Singh, Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia and Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira from publishing or circulating unverified defamatory material concerning her.
The order came after Gurpreet Kaur filed a defamation suit against the three respondents over statements and social-media content linked to the ₹5 crore allegation. The court had said that the matter involved balancing freedom of speech and expression with the right to reputation.
The latest order, however, was passed on an application by Justice Ranjit Singh and specifically lifted the restraint against him.
Ranjit Singh’s Claim About High Court Proceedings
According to the application filed by Justice Ranjit Singh, the allegations concerning the alleged ₹4–5 crore demand were already part of proceedings before the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
His side argued that Gurpreet Kaur had not disclosed this material information while seeking the interim restraint. The latest court order, as reported, accepted the application and vacated the earlier ex-parte restraint against the retired judge.
The allegation that Gurpreet Kaur demanded money to suppress a rape case remains an allegation and has not been established as a fact by the court. Gurpreet Kaur has challenged the allegation and described the claims as defamatory and unverified.
Gurpreet Kaur Challenged Allegations as Unsubstantiated
Gurpreet Kaur has maintained that making serious allegations without concrete evidence is improper and has taken legal action to protect her reputation.
Her legal challenge followed public statements and other material linking her to the alleged demand for ₹5 crore. She had earlier sent a legal notice to Justice Ranjit Singh seeking a retraction and apology. The National Human Rights Commission had also taken cognisance of the complaint and directed the Punjab government and police chief to inquire into the allegations.
Political Dispute Surrounds the Allegations
The controversy has also acquired a political dimension. The ruling Aam Aadmi Party has questioned the circumstances surrounding the allegations and has pointed to the reported relationship between Justice Ranjit Singh and Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira.
These are political claims and counterclaims, rather than findings established by the court.
The matter remains before the courts, with the underlying allegations and the defamation proceedings continuing separately from the latest order lifting the interim restraint against Justice (Retd.) Ranjit Singh.