ED flags irregularities linked to Punjab CM OSD over transfers, policy decisions
PTC News Desk: The Enforcement Directorate has flagged as much as 61 instances of suspected wrongdoings including transfers and postings of officials, intervention in administrative decisions, arms licence matters, land deals, and alleged payments and kickbacks.
The central agency has flagged 21 alleged transfer cases that were reportedly carried out through intermediaries linked to the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Punjab Chief Minister and his associate, Nitin Gohal.
According to the ED, five intermediaries allegedly used their access to senior government officials, including the OSD, to influence the postings and transfers of IAS, IPS, PCS and PPS officers. The agency also mentioned officials from the Food and Civil Supplies Department, Verka, AGTF and the Prisons Department. The names of 21 officers are mentioned in the letter.
The ED further alleged that draft transfer lists were circulated through these intermediaries before being officially released. Gohal, who is already being investigated in the Suntec City case, has denied all allegations of corruption and wrongdoing, including claims that cash was thrown from his Kharar residence during an ED raid earlier this year.
The agency has also pointed to seven alleged cases in which Gohal was involved in land deals and other matters related to real estate developers. It has also mentioned seven cases involving the issuance or renewal of arms licences.
One of the most serious allegations concerns the alleged unauthorised access to and leaking of confidential government information to Gohal and his associates. According to the ED, this information included mining tenders, coal transportation details, administrative approvals and other internal government orders.
- PTC NEWS
