By Satinder Bains
CHANDIGARH: The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab is grappling with a string of sexual misconduct and morality scandals that have pushed it into a deep political crisis. From the Chief Minister to three of his cabinet colleagues, the allegations have severely dented public confidence and handed the opposition fresh ammunition.
The escalating scandals have now become a key campaign flashpoint in the Tarn Taran by-election, with rival parties seizing on the sex-related controversies to challenge AAP’s self-proclaimed moral high ground. Adding to the party’s troubles, the recent CBI arrest of DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar in a corruption case has further deepened the crisis, compounding the perception of a government besieged by scandal and eroding public trust in its leadership.
The crisis deepened after Canada-based NRI Jagman Samra, who earlier circulated an alleged obscene video of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, threatened to release more such videos, claiming they feature both Mann and AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal.
Punjab Police have termed the videos “fake and AI-generated”, and FIRs have been filed under cybercrime laws. However, the opposition has demanded a forensic probe by a central agency, accusing the government of shielding the Chief Minister. Courts in Mohali have directed social media companies to remove the content and preserve digital evidence for examination.
The controversies over sex video and corruption episodes have become a massive political embarrassment for AAP, which rose to power promising transparency and clean governance.
Adding to the turmoil, Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh is facing serious allegations of sexual assault and abuse by a former woman politician. The case, currently before a special court, has its next hearing next week, and has also been referred to the Punjab and Haryana High Court for oversight.
The complainant alleges the minister exploited his position during her tenure, while Dr. Singh denies all charges, calling them “politically motivated.” Opposition parties, however, have demanded his suspension pending trial.
Dr Balbir Singh was earlier sentenced to 3-year rigorous imprisonment last year in an assault case. He is on bail after sentence was suspended. Another case pending against Dr Balbir Singh was registered at the Chamkaur Sahib police station for cheating, forgery, and criminal breach of trust.
The controversy has also revived the 2023 sodomy case against Cabinet Minister Lal Chand Kataruchak, who allegedly appeared in a compromising video that was submitted to the Governor of Punjab. The video showed an older man, believed to be Kataruchak, on a FaceTime call with someone who is seen performing a sex act.
After the video went viral, a young man posted a video, stating that he had been the victim of sexual misconduct since 2013-2014. Despite the explosive nature of the evidence, the matter was hushed up quietly, and no official inquiry was ordered.
Kataruchak has denied the charges, but with renewed scrutiny on the government, opposition leaders are demanding the case be reopened, calling it “a test of the government’s moral credibility.” Congress MA from Bhilath Sukhpal Singh Khaira has raised the issue of Kataruchak after Bhagant Mann's alleged fake video came to light.
Further adding to the government’s woes, Punjab Minister Ravjot Singh was embroiled in controversy after private photos and videos with his ex-wife were leaked online earlier this year. Despite the serious breach of privacy and questions surrounding the leak’s origin, no investigation was ever initiated, reportedly to avoid another scandal for the ruling party.
Political observers say the inaction reflects a pattern of institutional silence on matters of sexual misconduct and morality within the Punjab cabinet.
The Congress, BJP, and Shiromani Akali Dal have jointly attacked the Mann government, demanding the resignation of the Chief Minister and the implicated ministers. “From obscene videos to assault and sodomy cases, the entire AAP government is tainted, ” said one opposition spokesperson.
Political analysts warn that the scandals have eroded AAP’s “clean politics” image and could have severe electoral repercussions. “When four of the government’s top faces — including the Chief Minister — are battling such allegations, governance loses credibility, ” said a Chandigarh-based analyst.
As Punjab’s political storm intensifies, the questions are being raised over silence of Bhagwant Mann over conducting forensic examination of his obscene videos and also that of Kataruchak. The government has also failed to take action aginst Health Minister Balbir Singh despite a sexual abuse case is registered against him.