Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Punjab Challenges High Court-Ordered CBI Probe in Supreme Court
Punjab has asked the Supreme Court to review an order for a CBI investigation.
The order came from the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
It concerns allegations about possible corruption connected to people linked to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s office.
The allegations include claims about government jobs, contracts and confidential documents.
They have not been proven in court.
The High Court ordered the CBI to register a case and report back within two months.
Punjab’s lawyer argued that the order raises concerns about the state’s powers and how police should act.
The Supreme Court said it would consider hearing the case on Wednesday or Thursday.
No order stopping the CBI investigation had been reported.
Punjab moved the Supreme Court on Tuesday to challenge the High Court’s order for a CBI investigation into allegations linked to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s office.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the CBI to register a case, investigate the allegations and submit a report within two months.
The allegations cited by the Enforcement Directorate include cash-for-transfers and postings, influence over tenders and policies, and access to confidential documents; they have not been established in court.
The High Court acted on a public interest litigation alleging that Punjab Police had not adequately followed up on information sent by the ED.
Punjab’s lawyer raised concerns about the CBI direction and federalism; the Supreme Court said it would consider listing the matter for Wednesday or Thursday, and no stay was reported.
- Who
- The Punjab government, the Punjab and Haryana High Court, the CBI and people named in the ED material.
- What
- Punjab challenged the High Court order directing the CBI to register a case and investigate corruption allegations.
- When
- Punjab approached the Supreme Court on Tuesday; the High Court issued its order on Monday.
- Where
- The challenge was brought before the Supreme Court in India; the investigation concerns Punjab.
- Why
- Punjab is seeking relief from the High Court’s direction; its lawyer raised concerns about the CBI being directed to register an FIR and about federalism.
Punjab Government
High Court and Petitioner
Whether the CBI should investigate
Punjab Government
Punjab challenged the direction. Its lawyer argued that the CBI could not be directed to register an FIR and raised concerns about the federal structure.
High Court and Petitioner
The High Court directed the CBI to investigate, register a case and report within two months, with assistance from Punjab and its police.
Response to the ED material
Punjab Government
Punjab’s lawyer said police action should depend on whether the information disclosed a cognizable offence and argued that cases of this kind were being raised during election time.
High Court and Petitioner
The petitioner alleged that Punjab Police had not acted appropriately on the ED’s information; the High Court noted that no FIR had been registered after the communication was received and said the allegations must be tested through investigation and trial.
- Challenging party
- Government of Punjab
- Order under challenge
- Punjab and Haryana High Court direction for a CBI investigation
- High Court direction
- Register a case and submit an investigation report within two months
- Source of allegations
- Material shared by the Enforcement Directorate with Punjab Police
- High Court petitioner
- Advocate Nikhil Saraf
- Supreme Court scheduling
- The Chief Justice said the matter would be considered for listing on Wednesday or Thursday
- Status of allegations
- The allegations have not been established by a court
- Punjab consent rule
- A November 8, 2020 notification requires prior Punjab government consent for CBI investigations in the state
