Sikh leader Sukhbir Badal claimed at a rally in Moga district on 16 September 2026 that Bhagwant Mann’s wife Gurpreet Kaur used a QR code to solicit a ₹5 crore bribe.
Badal displayed a poster with a QR code that, when scanned, led to a 32‑minute audio clip allegedly detailing a deal between Kaur’s relative and a person who would secure a clean chit for a rape accused. The audio, he says, shows how the accused would be moved from an Amritsar jail to Patiala, where authorities would provide opium.
Mann and Kaur denied the charge, calling it defamatory, and said they had no involvement in any bribery. They have filed a legal notice with the Punjab High Court, demanding a swift investigation and a withdrawal of the allegations.
Badal’s attack comes amid a broader campaign by the Shiromani Akali Dal to discredit the Aam Aadmi Party ahead of the October 2026 Punjab elections. The party has already highlighted that the AAP spent ₹6,000 crore on advertisements over five years, pointing to a pattern of heavy spending.
Local voters in Moga say the rally was a mix of heated rhetoric and political theater. One resident, Rajinder Singh, who runs a grocery shop on Market Road, said he felt the crowd was more focused on the QR code stunt than on actual policy issues.
The Punjab Election Commission has issued a statement reminding parties that any campaign material that alleges wrongdoing must be backed by evidence, warning Badal’s claims could face scrutiny. A court hearing is set for 28 September to decide whether the defamation notice will compel Badal to retract the statements.