2 hrs ago
CBI Searches Bhagwant Mann’s Chandigarh Camp Office, He Alleges BJP Misuse
The CBI searched a place in Chandigarh that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann says is his camp office.
The search is connected to allegations involving his aide Rajbir Singh Ghuman.
A court has told the CBI to investigate the allegations and report back within two months.
One report says a Supreme Court hearing was coming up, while another describes the High Court’s order.
Mann says the BJP is using government agencies to target him and his government.
BJP leader Ravneet Singh Bittu criticized the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office.
Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia also commented on the CBI action.
The reports describe political disagreement over the investigation.
The CBI conducted searches at House Number 50 in Chandigarh’s Sector 2, which Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann described as his camp office.
The action is linked to corruption allegations involving Mann’s Officer on Special Duty, Rajbir Singh Ghuman.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the CBI to investigate and submit findings within two months; another report says the searches came ahead of a Supreme Court hearing.
Mann accused the BJP of misusing central agencies to target him and his government ahead of Punjab elections; the BJP’s Ravneet Singh Bittu criticized the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office.
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia described the action as major CBI action, while the ruling AAP and opposition parties took contrasting positions.
- Who
- The CBI searched a location identified by Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann as his camp office; the case concerns allegations involving his OSD, Rajbir Singh Ghuman.
- What
- The CBI conducted searches connected to an investigation into allegations involving Ghuman.
- Where
- House Number 50, Sector 2, Chandigarh, which Mann said was his camp office.
- When
- The searches took place on Tuesday, according to one report; the reports do not provide a calendar date.
- Why
- The searches are linked to corruption allegations involving Ghuman; the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the CBI to investigate.
Mann and AAP position
Opposition position
Purpose of the CBI action
Mann and AAP position
Mann alleged the BJP was misusing central agencies to target him and his government ahead of Punjab elections.
Opposition position
Opposition figures characterized the action as significant and criticized the functioning and reputation of the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office.
Meaning of the allegations
Mann and AAP position
Mann framed the search as an attempt to defame his government.
Opposition position
Ravneet Singh Bittu said the matter involved the reputation of the Chief Minister’s Office, not only allegations against the OSD; Bikram Singh Majithia called it major CBI action.
Key facts
- Agency
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
- Location reported
- House Number 50, Sector 2, Chandigarh
- Person at the centre of allegations
- Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Bhagwant Mann’s Officer on Special Duty
- High Court direction
- The Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the CBI to investigate and submit findings within two months.
- Petition
- Advocate Nikhil Saraf filed a Public Interest Litigation seeking an independent investigation into allegations raised by the Enforcement Directorate.
- Mann’s response
- He accused the BJP of misusing the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate to target him and the Punjab government.
- Hearing mentioned
- One report says the searches came ahead of a Supreme Court hearing in a case linked to alleged interference in transfers, postings and government functioning.
Quotes
Ravneet Singh Bittu
BJP leader commenting on the allegations involving the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office.
“The BJP has started preparations for the Punjab elections... A CBI raid was conducted at my camp office... Now, the ED and CBI will be misused in Punjab... in order to defame the Punjab government and me... The BJP is rattled by the love being received from the people”
republicworld.com
“It took five years for them to be completely exposed. Bhagwant Mann is not ‘Mann Sa'ab’ anymore. He will now be known as ‘Beimaan Mann’. This had never happened before; this is happening in Punjab CMO for the first time”
republicworld.com
Sources
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