Major setback for Punjab government: High Court orders CBI probe into corruption charges flagged by ED, CM Manns aide under scanner
The High Court has directed the CBI to register an FIR in the matter and submit its report within two months.
PTC News Desk: In a major setback for the Punjab government, the Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered a CBI investigation into the letters sent to the Punjab DGP by the Enforcement Directorate and allegations into it.
The High Court has directed the CBI to register an FIR in the matter and submit its report within two months.
The ED had earlier written to Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, seeking registration of a criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman and his associates Nitin Gohal and Bir Devinder.
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The agency has alleged that they were interfering in administrative transfers and postings as well as government tenders.
What did the ED say about Rajbir Ghuman?
The ED's letter to DGP Gaurav Yadav was prepared as part of an investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in a case involving a Chandigarh-based housing society and its associates.
The agency said searches were carried out at several locations between May 7 and 10. During the searches, nearly Rs 21 lakh in cash was reportedly seized. According to the ED, material recovered from devices, including WhatsApp chats, allegedly showed discussions about influencing transfers and postings of government officials. The agency cited more than 20 alleged instances between 2023 and 2026 involving IAS, IPS, PCS and DSP-rank officers.
The ED has also alleged interference in tender conditions, licensing matters and land transactions. One of the matters mentioned in the letter relates to an alleged undervaluation of a plot in Mohali. The agency further said that some of the chats allegedly referred to cash payments running into lakhs and hawala transactions.
Multiple letters to Punjab DGP
The ED had written three letters to Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav flagging widespread corruption in transfers and postings, Change of Land Use (CLU) matters and other works in the state. The central agency had sought action against several persons at the centre of the allegations.
The ED had also named Rajbir Ghuman, an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, in its letters.
Hearing the PIL, the Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday transferred the matter to the CBI for investigation.
The court's order comes against the backdrop of the corruption allegations raised by the ED, which had sought action from the Punjab DGP in its letters.