Archive · 3 Sep 2026
BJP Alleges Punjab Cash-for-Transfer Scam, Seeks Mann’s Resignation
The BJP says some important government jobs in Punjab may have been given out using a secret price list.
It says people paid money to get certain transfers or postings.
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia linked the alleged activity to an officer working for Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
He also said confidential government papers were found on the phones of alleged middlemen.
The BJP claims the police did not file a formal case despite requests from the Enforcement Directorate.
It says Mann should resign so the matter can be investigated fairly.
The Congress made a similar demand.
AAP criticized the Enforcement Directorate, while the Punjab government and AAP did not immediately respond to the specific allegations.
The BJP alleged that Punjab’s senior IAS and IPS postings were governed by a cash-based rate card.
BJP spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia linked the alleged network to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s OSD, Rajbir Singh Ghuman.
Bhatia said an Enforcement Directorate investigation found confidential documents and draft transfer, posting and policy lists on middlemen’s phones.
The BJP claimed Punjab Police had not registered an FIR despite repeated requests from the Enforcement Directorate.
The BJP and Congress demanded Mann’s resignation and an independent probe, while AAP questioned the ED’s credibility and no immediate government response was reported.
- Who
- The BJP, spokesperson Gaurav Bhatia, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman, the Enforcement Directorate, Punjab Police, AAP, Congress and Arvind Kejriwal.
- What
- The BJP alleged an organised cash-for-transfer-posting network in Punjab and demanded Mann’s resignation and a CBI investigation.
- When
- The allegations were made on Wednesday, September 2; the year was not specified in the reports.
- Where
- Bhatia made the allegations at the BJP headquarters in New Delhi; the alleged activity concerns Punjab.
- Why
- The BJP said Mann should resign to enable an impartial investigation into the alleged corruption and the failure to register an FIR.
BJP and Congress allegations
AAP and Punjab government position
Whether a cash-for-transfer network exists
BJP and Congress allegations
The BJP alleged that senior officials’ transfers and postings were controlled by an organised network and a rate card. Congress also criticized the government over the allegations and lack of an FIR.
AAP and Punjab government position
AAP has challenged the credibility of the Enforcement Directorate, saying it operates at the behest of the central government. No immediate Punjab government response to the specific allegations was reported.
Mann’s knowledge or responsibility
BJP and Congress allegations
The BJP alleged that Mann’s OSD was connected to the network and argued that transfers involving more than 20 IAS and IPS officers could not have occurred without the chief minister’s knowledge or permission.
AAP and Punjab government position
No immediate response from Mann, the Punjab government or AAP addressing the alleged role of the OSD or Mann’s knowledge was reported.
How the allegations should be investigated
BJP and Congress allegations
The BJP demanded Mann’s resignation and a CBI investigation, saying an impartial probe would require him to leave office. Congress also demanded his resignation.
AAP and Punjab government position
No immediate AAP or Punjab government position on the resignation and CBI demands was reported.
- Alleged scheme
- The BJP said senior IAS and IPS transfers and postings in Punjab were conducted according to a rate card.
- Evidence cited
- Bhatia referred to findings from an Enforcement Directorate investigation and an affidavit submitted to the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
- Documents allegedly found
- The BJP said confidential documents and draft lists of postings, transfers and future policies were found on the phones of alleged middlemen and touts.
- Official named
- Bhatia alleged that Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Bhagwant Mann’s Officer on Special Duty, was linked to the alleged network.
- Police action
- The BJP claimed Punjab Police had not registered an FIR despite three letters or repeated requests from the Enforcement Directorate.
- Political demands
- The BJP and Congress demanded Mann’s resignation; the BJP also called for a Central Bureau of Investigation probe.
- AAP position
- AAP has questioned the Enforcement Directorate’s credibility, alleging that it operates at the behest of the central government; no immediate response to the specific charges was reported.
