Patiala: Punjab Health Minister and Patiala Rural MLA, Dr. Balbir Singh, has been issued a notice by the court of Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMIC) Damanpreet Kamal in connection with allegations of sexual harassment and criminal conspiracy. The court has directed him to appear on October 23.
The complaint was filed by Shweta Jindal, former president of the Aam Aadmi Party’s (AAP) Women Wing (Rural) in Patiala and a member of the District Planning Committee. She alleged sexual exploitation and conspiracy, submitting evidence to support her claims.
Shweta Jindal confirmed that she possesses concrete proof against the minister. Alongside Dr. Balbir Singh, the court has also made his son Rahul Saini, office in-charge Jasvir Singh Gandhi, councillor Gurkripal Singh, Gurpreet Singh, and the Aam Aadmi Party a party to the case. The complaint alleges that the health minister, his son, and associates frequently made inappropriate advances toward her, including allegations of unwanted physical contact by Dr. Singh.
Jindal stated that whenever she visited the minister’s office, she was subjected to unwelcome behavior. It is notable that she was expelled from the party a few days prior to filing the complaint.
Earlier, Dr. Balbir Singh was also convicted in a separate land-related case by a court in Ropar.