Archive · 10 Oct 2026
Justice Sheel Nagu Recuses From Punjab CBI Probe Challenge
Punjab has asked the Supreme Court to review an order telling the CBI to investigate corruption allegations linked to the state government.
Justice Sheel Nagu was assigned to hear the case with Justice Dipankar Datta.
The court was told that Nagu had previously dealt with petitions filed by the same person who brought the public-interest case.
Nagu then stepped aside from hearing this case.
Justice Datta said it would be placed before the Chief Justice of India for assignment to another bench.
Punjab’s lawyer said the state was not relying on Nagu’s earlier decisions.
The High Court’s order followed claims that the state had not acted on information from the Enforcement Directorate.
The allegations have not been decided by the Supreme Court.
The Chief Justice of India will choose another bench to hear Punjab’s challenge.
Justice Sheel Nagu recused himself from the Punjab government’s challenge to a High Court order for a CBI investigation.
The case had been listed before a Supreme Court bench comprising Justices Nagu and Dipankar Datta.
The recusal followed disclosure that Nagu had dealt with petitions by the same PIL petitioner while leading the Punjab and Haryana High Court.
The High Court directed the CBI to investigate corruption allegations linked to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s office; one report says it ordered a report within two months.
The Chief Justice of India is to assign the case to another bench; the Supreme Court has not decided the merits of Punjab’s challenge.
- Who
- The Punjab government, Supreme Court Justices Sheel Nagu and Dipankar Datta, and the CBI.
- What
- Nagu recused himself from hearing Punjab’s challenge to a High Court order directing a CBI investigation.
- When
- Friday, October 9, 2026.
- Where
- The Supreme Court of India, New Delhi.
- Why
- Nagu had previously dealt with petitions filed by the same PIL petitioner; the court did not provide a detailed explanation for the recusal.
Punjab Government’s Challenge
Case for the CBI Investigation
Whether the investigation order should stand
Punjab Government’s Challenge
Punjab has challenged the High Court’s direction and disputes the legal basis for ordering a CBI investigation.
Case for the CBI Investigation
The High Court directed an investigation after a PIL alleged that the state had not acted on information shared by the Enforcement Directorate.
What the allegations concern
Punjab Government’s Challenge
The state’s petition seeks to overturn the investigation direction; the allegations remain unproven.
Case for the CBI Investigation
The PIL alleged payments linked to transfers and favourable policies, as well as access to confidential documents, arms licences, and other benefits.
- Recusing judge
- Justice Sheel Nagu
- Other judge on the listed bench
- Justice Dipankar Datta
- Underlying High Court
- Punjab and Haryana High Court
- PIL petitioner
- Advocate Nikhil Saraf
- Allegations
- Claims involving government transfers, favourable policies, access to documents, arms licences, and other benefits.
- High Court direction
- The CBI was directed to investigate; one report says it must submit a report within two months.
- Next step
- The Chief Justice of India will assign the petition to another bench.
- Case status
- The Supreme Court has not ruled on the merits of Punjab’s challenge.
