Photo Source: Miss Punjaban contestants 2022-23 (Video Grab)
Miss Punjaban Row: PTC strongly counters sexual exploitation charges; announces reward for proving link with main accused Nancy Ghuman ( Watch Video)
Categorically denied any link with main accused Nancy Ghuman
PTC announces a reward of Rs One Lakh to prove a link between Nancy Ghuman / Bhupinder Singh with company
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, March 2, 2022: PTC Network which is under sharp attack by the Sikh Groups amid the ongoing sexual exploitation case has tried to counter the allegation by claiming no connection with Nancy Ghuman, the main accused in the case. It has also announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh to prove a link between Nancy Ghuman with the company.
It may be mentioned that there is a lot of hues and cry to act against PTC Punjabi from many circles particularly some Sikh organizations and personalities demanding to stop the Gurbani Telacast from Harimandir Sahib by PTC keeping in view the allegations of sexual exploitation on the channel.
The contestant alleged confinement by the reality show organizers and sexual harassment by the management of the media company.
She also claimed that when she complained about the harassment, the organizers threatened her that she can't leave the premises and quit as per her agreement with the company.
In her FIR, she also complained that the show organizers make illicit videos of girls and force them into the sex trade. She also mentioned that the organizers attempted to sexually exploit her. The complainant further alleged that organizers demanded Rs 12 to 15 lakhs or sexual favors for making her part of the reality show.
The contestant added that girls' drinks were spiked by the organizers and they were locked in the room. Based on her complaint, FIR was lodged in Mohali Police station on April 17. SSP Mohali has formed an SIT to inquire about the case.
The complainant filed a Habeas Corpus through her father in Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking the release of her "illegal custody" by the reality show organizers. The father also alleged that some senior functionaries were pressurizing her for sexual favors.
Acting on the plea, the Punjab and Haryana High Court bench directed the registry to appoint a warrant officer. The court further directed that the warrant officer is to visit the premises in question and get the girl released. The officer was also asked to submit a report on March 17.
In a communication sent to SSP Mohali in response to the charges, the PTC Network has claimed that the entire content of the complaint is false, malicious, and is made with an intent to harm the reputation of the organization.
PTC Network further stated that the main accused in the FIR namely Nancy Ghuman and Bhupinder Singh, are not their employees.
The PTC Punjabi also announced a reward of Rs 1 lakh to anyone proving the link between PTC and Nancy Ghuman and Bhupinder Singh who is the main accused in the FIR.
"They are neither associated with us in any manner nor known to us. It should be investigated who these persons are and why they have been named the main accused in our organization," stated the communication sent by PTC Network to SSP Mohali.
The company expressed that it is shocked at the "baseless and false" allegation made against them after having a track record of organizing talent shows and contests with the regularity of 13 years. It further claimed that never before such allegations have been leveled against the company.
On the allegation of confinement made by one of their female contestants, the media network said that the complainant had free access to her mobile phone and was free to meet visitors from her family at any time with prior written intimation.
Here is the full text of communication sent by PTC Network to SSP Mohali
Senior Superindent of Police
SAS Nagar,
Punjab
Dated March 21, 2022
Sub: False FIR number 0002 dated 17.03.2022 in PS Women against PTC Network organisation and its employees
Dear Sir,
It has come to our notice that an FIR (mentioned above) has been registered against us under your jurisdiction.
Please note:
1. That the entire contents based on the complaint of one Ms Rajvir Kaur, d/o Gian Singh, are false, malicious and with intent to harm the reputation of our organisation.
2. That the main accused in the FIR, namely Nancy Ghuman and Bhupinder Singh, are not our employees. They are neither associated with us in any manner nor known to us. It should be investigated who these persons are and why they have been named main accused in our organisation.
3. That we have been fully co operating with your staff who visited us at oyr premises and we intend to extend full co operation .
4. That we are handing over our DVR machine with hard disk to your staff for proper study and investigation.
5. That we have provided free access to your staff to meet and record statements of rest of the contestants in a highly amicable and independent atmosphere.
6. That we are shocked at the baseless and false allegations against our organisation which has a track record of organising talent shows and contests with regularity for the last 13 years and never before any allegation of any wrong doing has been levelled. Most of our core team handling the show has been with the company for over a decade and have never faced any allegation of any nature whatsoever.
7. That we are unable to understand why the complainant levelled such allegations against our organisation whereas she had free access to her mobile phone and was free to meet visitors from her family at any time with prior written intimation.
8. That the complainant has been meeting outsiders despite giving written undertaking not to interact with outsiders or step out of the premises without intimation and written approval. This fact can be verified through CCTV footage handed over to your staff already.
9. That the complainant was free to call 100 or Women helpline at any time that she felt uncomfortable, if ever. She never made any complaint to anyone.
10. That she was constantly in touch with her parents on phone and could have easily asked to be rescued if she ever felt any threat.
11. That she filed a Habeas Corpus through her father with the High Court to be rescued from our alleged confinement. It is very strange to note that a person in duress and under life threat would not call the polie or family but wait for Hon’ble High Court to appoint a Warrant Officer and then wait for 24 hours for the Warrant Officer to come and rescue her.
12. That a person avoiding calling the police and Women Helpline, despite herself being a lawyer, looks certain to have ulterior motives and for sure was under no threat or confinement.
13. That it is a fact that she always had her hotel room key in her possession and could have come and gone at her will and there was never any provision to bar any girl from going out of her room ever.
14. That keeping in view the above facts and many more that will come to light under your investigation, we submit this representation to your good office to ensure a free and fair probe in the matter as we fear that this FIR has been lodged with an ulterior motive to damage the reputation of the global television network - PTC Network - which is the number one Punjabi television network all over the world and prides itself for propagating the cause of Punjab, Punjabi and Punjabiyat.
Best regards
KIRTI KUMAR
Authorised Representative
The PTC has reportedly handed over the CCTV footage showing the happenings of the complex. one CCTV clip clearly shows the complainant freely moving in and outside the gate, meeting people, and talking on her mobile phone.
"The complainant has been meeting outsiders despite giving a written undertaking not to interact with outsiders or step out of the premises without intimation or written approval. This fact can be verified through the CCTV footage handed over to your staff already. The complainant was free to call 100 or Women Helpline at any time she felt uncomfortable," the company stated.
"A person avoiding calling the Police and Women Helpline, despite herself being the lawyer, looks certain to have ulterior motives and for sure was under no threat or confinement," the network stated.
Miss PTC Punjabi 2022-23 contestants share positive feedback
Earlier today, the PTC Punjabi on Facebook posted a video of all the contestants of this year's Miss PTC Punjabi 2022-23 show.
The contestants shared their experience working with the reality show organizers and their ongoing preparations. All the contestants shared positive feedback about the network staff.
"We are very comfortable here. We have been learning a lot. The entire team is extremely cooperative," expressed one of the contestants.
"The vibes are positive here. I'm not feeling like I'm staying away from my parents. We are living like a family. It feels like home," another contestant added.
"The PTC team is very strict when it comes to our security. It's a lifetime memory. We talk to our parents every day," a contestant said.
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