Archive · 8 Oct 2026
Mann Says CBI Raids Mark BJP’s Punjab Election Campaign
The CBI opened a corruption case involving Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s aide and five other people.
The agency searched eight places, including Mann’s camp office.
The case is about claims that the accused influenced appointments of senior officers in exchange for a benefit.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered the CBI investigation after considering information from the Enforcement Directorate.
Mann says the raids are politically motivated and part of the BJP’s election campaign.
He says his government has no corruption money and will cooperate with a proper investigation.
Punjab’s government has challenged the court’s direction in the Supreme Court.
BJP leader Kewal Singh Dhillon says AAP should cooperate because the court ordered the probe.
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann accused the BJP of using central investigative agencies to damage his government’s image ahead of the 2027 Assembly elections.
The CBI registered a corruption case on Tuesday against Mann’s OSD, Rajbir Ghuman, and five others, following a Punjab and Haryana High Court direction.
The case concerns allegations that the accused influenced IAS and IPS officer appointments in return for pecuniary advantage; the High Court cited material submitted by the Enforcement Directorate.
The CBI searched eight locations, including Mann’s camp office; Mann said his government would cooperate and that investigators would find no corruption money.
Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon said AAP should cooperate, stressing that the court—not the BJP—ordered the probe; the Punjab government has challenged the High Court direction in the Supreme Court.
- Who
- Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, his OSD Rajbir Ghuman (also reported as Rajbir Singh Ghumman), five other accused, AAP leaders, and Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon.
- What
- The CBI registered a corruption case and searched locations, while Mann and other AAP leaders alleged the action was politically motivated.
- When
- The CBI registered the case on Tuesday; Mann commented on Thursday. The dispute is framed around Punjab’s 2027 Assembly elections.
- Where
- Punjab, India; searches included Mann’s camp office.
- Why
- The CBI probe followed a Punjab and Haryana High Court direction based on material submitted by the Enforcement Directorate. Mann says the action serves the BJP’s electoral purposes; the BJP says the court ordered the probe.
Mann and AAP’s claims
Punjab BJP’s response
Purpose of the raids
Mann and AAP’s claims
Mann and other AAP leaders allege central investigative agencies are being used to target the Punjab government and advance the BJP’s election campaign.
Punjab BJP’s response
Dhillon says the Punjab and Haryana High Court—not the BJP—ordered the probe and accuses the state government of shifting blame.
Response to the investigation
Mann and AAP’s claims
Mann says his government will cooperate, denies having corruption money, and the Punjab government has challenged the High Court direction in the Supreme Court.
Punjab BJP’s response
Dhillon says AAP should cooperate with the investigation into allegations involving Mann’s OSD.
- Chief minister
- Bhagwant Mann
- Case subjects
- Mann’s OSD Rajbir Ghuman and five others
- Case allegation
- Influencing IAS and IPS officer appointments in return for pecuniary advantage
- Searches
- Eight locations, including Mann’s camp office
- Basis for investigation
- A Punjab and Haryana High Court direction citing material submitted by the Enforcement Directorate
- Mann’s response
- He says his government will cooperate and that the raids will uncover no corruption money.
- State government action
- The Punjab government has challenged the High Court direction in the Supreme Court.
- BJP response
- Kewal Singh Dhillon said AAP should cooperate and that the court, not the BJP, ordered the probe.
