ED registers case against CM Mann’s OSD Rajbir Ghuman a day after Supreme Court relief
PTC Web Desk: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has stepped into the case involving Rajbir Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The agency registered a case on Wednesday through its Jalandhar zonal office, as per reports published in several media outlets.
The timing has drawn attention. Only a day earlier, the Supreme Court had granted Ghuman interim protection, putting a stay on his arrest and any coercive action against him. The ED’s move right after that relief has set off a buzz in Punjab’s political circles.
With the central agency now involved, the probe is expected to widen and more details may come out in the coming days. All eyes are now on the ED’s next step and the next hearing in the Supreme Court.
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About the case
In July and August 2026, the ED wrote three letters to Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav, asking for an FIR over alleged corruption linked to the CM’s office. The letters mentioned alleged interference in transfers and postings, policy decisions, tenders, CLU approvals and other government clearances.
According to the ED, Nitin Gohal, Rajbir Singh Ghuman and others played a role. The agency described Gohal as an alleged middleman between people seeking government work and Ghuman.
The ED claims to have recovered WhatsApp chats and other digital material. These reportedly relate to conversations about transfers, postings, policy decisions, tenders and access to official documents.
During searches at locations linked to Gohal and others, the agency says it found documents and digital material. It also claims to have recovered Rs 20.98 lakh in cash from Gohal.
The case grew out of a money laundering probe into alleged irregularities involving GMADA land, CLU permissions, property deals and real estate. The ED alleges influence in government approvals and land-related matters.
On October 5, the Punjab and Haryana High Court observed that the details provided by the ED point to an offence. It directed the CBI to register an FIR, investigate and submit a status report within two months.
On October 6, a day after the High Court order, the state government filed a Special Leave Petition (SLP) in the Supreme Court challenging it. On October 12, the Supreme Court stayed Ghuman’s arrest and ordered that no coercive action be taken against him under the CBI FIR.
- PTC NEWS
