3 hrs ago
CBI Searches Punjab CM’s Camp Office After High Court Orders Probe
The CBI searched Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s camp office and places connected to his aide Rajbir Singh Ghuman.
The agency also registered a corruption case after a court told it to investigate.
The allegations involve claims about government jobs, approvals, confidential papers and other decisions.
They are allegations, not findings of guilt.
The case began after the Enforcement Directorate sent three letters to Punjab’s police chief.
A lawyer then asked the Punjab and Haryana High Court to order an independent investigation.
Mann and his party say central agencies are being used for political reasons.
The BJP says the CBI is following the court’s order.
Punjab’s government has challenged that order in the Supreme Court.
The CBI registered a corruption case and searched Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s camp office and locations linked to his OSD, Rajbir Singh Ghuman.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered the CBI probe on Monday and directed the agency to submit a status report within two months.
The allegations include influence over transfers and postings, arms licence approvals, confidential documents and government approvals; the claims have not been established in the articles.
The High Court acted on a public-interest petition by advocate Nikhil Saraf after the ED sent three letters to Punjab’s DGP seeking a case.
Mann and the AAP alleged political misuse of central agencies; the BJP said the CBI was acting under a court order, and Punjab has challenged the order in the Supreme Court.
- Who
- The CBI, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, his OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman, and other officials are involved in the probe.
- What
- The CBI registered a corruption case and conducted searches as part of a court-directed investigation.
- Where
- Mann’s camp office in Sector 2, Chandigarh, and other locations, including locations linked to Ghuman.
- When
- The High Court issued its order on Monday; the CBI searches took place on Tuesday.
- Why
- The probe follows allegations raised by the ED about possible influence over government decisions and the Punjab Police’s alleged failure to act on three letters.
Political misuse allegations
Court-directed investigation
Reason for the CBI action
Political misuse allegations
Mann and the AAP accused the BJP-led Centre of using the CBI and ED to target and defame the Punjab government, including ahead of Punjab elections.
Court-directed investigation
The BJP said the CBI was acting on the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s order, not on a direction from the Centre.
Response to the probe
Political misuse allegations
Mann described the search as political pressure and said the BJP was nervous about public support for him.
Court-directed investigation
Former Punjab BJP president Sunil Jakhar said the agency was following the court’s direction and questioned what Mann had to fear if he was truthful.
Key facts
- Investigating agency
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
- Court order
- The Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the CBI to register a case and investigate.
- Status report deadline
- Within two months of the High Court order.
- Search locations reported
- Mann’s camp office in Sector 2, Chandigarh, and multiple other locations; one report identifies Ghuman’s residence.
- Allegations described
- Influence over transfers and postings, arms licence approvals, confidential documents and government approvals.
- ED communications
- The Enforcement Directorate sent three letters to Punjab’s Director General of Police seeking registration of a case.
- Related legal action
- The Punjab government has moved the Supreme Court challenging the High Court’s order.
- Alleged origin of ED matter
- The ED said its letters stemmed from a money-laundering investigation involving alleged fake consent letters for Change of Land Use.
Quotes
Tarunpreet Singh Sond
Punjab Cabinet minister and AAP leader
“The CBI raid at Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann ji’s camp office is a result of this very nervousness. Central agencies like the ED and CBI are being misused to defame the Mann government. But the people of Punjab understand everything. The people’s love cannot be taken away through political raids.”
theprint.in
“Wherever elections are due, BJP sends CBI, ED or Income Tax department to that state in order to scare and threaten leaders of opposition parties. It has been seen during elections Delhi, West Bengal and Bihar in the past. And now, elections are due in Punjab.”
theprint.in
Sources
CBI raids: AAP leaders slam BJP, allege misuse of central agencies ahead of Punjab assembly polls
Punjab Transfergate Saga: CBI Books Mann's Aide, AAP Hits Back; 'Kattar Imaandaar' Deflecting Probe?
CBI Raids Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s Camp Office Day After HC Orders Probe Into CMO Corruption Allegations
CBI probes corruption allegations against Bhagwant Mann’s OSD, searches Punjab CM’s camp office
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