Amid a political controversy over allegations that Dr Gurpreet Kaur Mann, wife of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, had sought Rs 5 crore to allegedly scuttle a rape case, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) today dismissed the charges as “baseless and politically motivated”. It accused the Opposition of resorting to personal attacks as it had “no answer” to the Mann government’s performance.Dr Gurpreet Kaur has served a legal notice on Justice Ranjit Singh (retd), who had first levelled the allegations. Separately, CM Mann met Governor Gulab Chand Kataria at the latter’s residence this afternoon. The meeting lasted around 15-20 minutes. “It was a private meeting,” said an official in the Chief Minister’s Office.The charges against Dr Gurpreet Kaur were levelled earlier this week by the former Punjab and Haryana High Court judge based on a petition filed in the court. Justice Ranjit Singh had alleged that a relative of Dr Mann had sought the gratification on her behalf to scuttle a rape case. Though the allegations remain unsubstantiated, the National Human Rights Commission has taken cognisance of the complaint and sought an action taken report from the Chief Secretary and Director General of Police.Immediately after the NHRC direction became public, officials in the CMO issued a statement saying that Dr Gurpreet Kaur had served a legal notice on Justice Ranjit Singh, demanding an apology within 24 hours and warning of legal proceedings if he failed to comply. She dismissed all allegations levelled against her and attributed political motives to them, saying that the former judge was a close relative of sitting Congress MLA Sukhpal Singh Khaira.As the issue took political overtones, with Opposition leaders seeking CM Mann’s response and asking him to recommend a CBI probe, AAP deputed its media in-charge Baltej Singh Pannu and Moga MLA Amandeep Kaur for firefighting.“Ask questions about governance, oppose and criticise us, but the politics of attacking someone’s private life and making allegations without evidence must stop,” said Amandeep Kaur, adding that similar allegations had recently been levelled against Rajbir Singh Ghuman, OSD to the Chief Minister, without any concrete evidence.She challenged the Opposition to put before the public any proof of inappropriate demands allegedly made in the name of party funds instead of relying on rumours. Those making allegations without proof, she said, would have to substantiate their claims and could face legal action.Pannu said the Opposition had “nothing positive to offer Punjab” and had therefore resorted to targeting CM Mann and those around him. “Such serious charges could not be made merely on the basis of claims without producing evidence. Those making allegations must be prepared to substantiate them,” he said. Pannu also hit out at Khaira, alleging that the Congress leader had made “spreading negativity” a daily routine.Meanwhile, the NHRC has forwarded the matter to the Women Safety Division, Ministry of Home Affairs. It will take further action on the basis of the action taken report.It said, “The complaint, filed by the Legal Rights Observatory, raises concerns that such interference could compromise the victim’s right to dignity, safety, fair investigation and access to justice.”