Chandigarh, Oct 2 (UNI) A Patiala court has issued notice to Punjab Health Minister Dr. Balbir Singh and five others, including his son, in a sexual harassment case.
The complaint was filed by a former Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) women’s wing functionary on September 29, 2025. The petition names close aides, a local AAP functionary, and the AAP Punjab unit as co-accused in an alleged criminal conspiracy to intimidate and silence the complainant.
The complainant alleges that Dr. Singh repeatedly made unwelcome advances, physical contact, and demanded sexual favours during office hours and public meetings. When she objected, she was allegedly threatened with false cases and harm to her family.
The petition further accuses one co-accused of installing spyware on her phone to monitor communications, circulating defamatory material, and leaking her party suspension letter.
The complainant has demanded the registration of a criminal case under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, the arrest of all accused, cancellation of AAP Punjab’s registration, and police protection.
Dr. Balbir Singh, the legislator from Patiala Rural, denied the allegations. He stated he had treated her “like a daughter” and claimed she stopped visiting his office after failing to receive a municipal corporation election ticket. He added that he would respond in court soon.
The court ordered the complaint’s registration yesterday. It issued notice under Section 223(1) of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), 2023, directing the accused to appear in person or through counsel by October 23, 2025. The court clarified that decisions on summons or bail would be made only after the accused were given an opportunity to respond.
