Archive · 8 Oct 2026
CBI Books Mann’s Aide, Searches Camp Office After Court Orders Probe
The CBI has opened a corruption case involving an aide to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and other people.
It also searched Mann’s camp office and other places.
The searches followed an order from the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The court asked the CBI to investigate allegations described in information sent by the Enforcement Directorate.
Those allegations concern government jobs, licences, documents and approvals, but they have not been proven.
Rajbir Singh Ghuman and Nitin Gohal have denied the allegations.
Mann and AAP say the investigation is politically motivated before the Punjab elections.
The BJP says the CBI is acting because the court ordered it to investigate.
Punjab has asked the Supreme Court to challenge the High Court’s order.
The CBI registered a corruption case involving Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman and other people, and searched Mann’s Chandigarh camp office and other locations.
The searches followed a Punjab and Haryana High Court order directing the CBI to investigate and submit a status report within two months.
The court acted on a PIL and material from three Enforcement Directorate letters to Punjab’s DGP, which alleged influence over postings, arms licences, confidential documents and government approvals.
The ED also linked its letters to a money-laundering investigation concerning alleged fake consent letters for Change of Land Use in a housing-society case; Ghuman and alleged intermediary Nitin Gohal deny the allegations.
Mann and AAP accused the BJP-led Centre of politically misusing agencies ahead of Punjab elections; BJP said the investigation should proceed, while Punjab has challenged the court order in the Supreme Court.
- Who
- The CBI, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, his OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman, alleged intermediary Nitin Gohal, and other named individuals and officials.
- What
- The CBI registered a corruption case and searched Mann’s camp office and other locations under a High Court-directed probe.
- When
- The High Court ordered the probe on Monday; the CBI registered the case and conducted searches on Tuesday. A BJP protest and comments followed on Wednesday.
- Where
- Mann’s camp office in Chandigarh and other locations, including places linked to Ghuman and people named in the allegations.
- Why
- The High Court ordered an investigation after considering ED material and the alleged lack of action on the ED’s communications to Punjab Police.
Mann and AAP’s position
BJP’s position
Motivation for the investigation
Mann and AAP’s position
Mann and AAP alleged the BJP-led Centre was misusing the CBI and ED to defame the Punjab government and influence the political contest ahead of elections.
BJP’s position
BJP figures said the CBI was acting under a High Court order and argued that the allegations and investigation should be addressed through the process.
How the allegations should be addressed
Mann and AAP’s position
Punjab has challenged the High Court’s order in the Supreme Court; AAP leaders condemned the searches as political vendetta.
BJP’s position
Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon said the AAP government should face the investigation rather than question it.
- Investigating agency
- Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI)
- Court
- Punjab and Haryana High Court
- Court direction
- Register a case, investigate and submit a status report within two months
- ED communications
- The Enforcement Directorate sent three letters to Punjab’s Director General of Police seeking a case
- Allegations
- Influencing transfers and postings, arms licence approvals, access to confidential documents and government approvals
- People named
- The CBI said it booked six people, including two public servants; the articles identify Rajbir Ghuman and Nitin Gohal among those named
- Related challenge
- The Punjab government has moved the Supreme Court against the High Court’s direction
- Related ED matter
- The ED letters stemmed from a money-laundering investigation involving alleged fake consent letters for Change of Land Use in a housing-society case
Sources
AAP govt’s corruption pot filled to brim, its end near: BJP
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?
BJP started preparing for Punjab elections: Mann on CBI raids
CBI Raids Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann’s Camp Office Day After HC Orders Probe Into CMO Corruption Allegations
