4 hrs ago
Punjab Government to Challenge High Court’s CBI Probe Order
Punjab’s government says it will ask the Supreme Court to review a High Court decision.
The High Court wants the CBI to investigate corruption allegations involving senior state officials.
The allegations include claims about money being paid for transfers, tenders, or favourable policies.
The Enforcement Directorate had shared information with Punjab Police and sought an FIR over allegations involving a private person and a government official.
A lawyer asked the court for an independent investigation.
The High Court directed the CBI to register an FIR and report back within two months.
Punjab’s finance minister says the government disagrees with the order.
He also pointed to a state rule requiring prior consent for CBI investigations.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the state government will challenge the Punjab and Haryana High Court order in the Supreme Court.
The High Court ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe corruption allegations involving senior Punjab government officials, including an officer on special duty to the chief minister.
The court directed the CBI to register an FIR and submit a report within two months.
The order followed a public interest litigation seeking an independent probe after the Enforcement Directorate wrote to Punjab Police about alleged graft.
Cheema cited Punjab’s 2020 withdrawal of general consent to the CBI, under which the agency needs prior state consent to investigate cases in Punjab.
- Who
- The Punjab government, represented by Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema, and the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
- What
- The state plans to challenge the High Court’s order for a CBI investigation into corruption allegations against senior Punjab officials.
- Where
- Punjab, with the challenge to be filed in the Supreme Court.
- When
- The High Court order and Cheema’s response were reported on Monday; the report is dated October 5.
- Why
- The government opposes the order directing a CBI probe and says prior state consent is required for CBI investigations in Punjab.
Punjab Government
High Court and Petition
Whether the CBI should investigate
Punjab Government
The Punjab government says it will challenge the order and Cheema cited the state’s requirement for prior consent to CBI investigations.
High Court and Petition
The High Court ordered a CBI probe, saying material shared by the Enforcement Directorate prima facie indicated involvement in corruption.
Need for an independent probe
Punjab Government
The government’s stated response is to contest the High Court’s decision; the report does not give further details of its legal arguments.
High Court and Petition
The petitioner sought an independent investigation, alleging that Punjab Police had not investigated despite receiving information from the Enforcement Directorate.
Key facts
- State representative
- Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema
- Court issuing order
- Punjab and Haryana High Court
- Agency ordered to investigate
- Central Bureau of Investigation
- Court’s directions
- Register an FIR and submit a report within two months
- Petition
- Public interest litigation filed by advocate Nikhil Saraf
- Prior-consent notification
- Punjab’s November 8, 2020 notification required prior state consent for CBI investigations in the state
- Alleged intermediary
- Private person Nitin Gohal was alleged to have acted between interested persons and Rajbir Ghuman, an officer on special duty to the chief minister
Quotes
Harpal Singh Cheema
Punjab Finance Minister
“We will challenge this matter in the Supreme Court.”
theprint.in
Sources
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