The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered a CBI probe into corruption allegations involving Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s office and private individuals. The Enforcement Directorate had earlier written three letters to the Punjab DGP seeking action over the allegations. The agency alleged widespread corruption in government transfers and postings, Change of Land Use (CLU) matters and other official dealings. The ED also named Rajbir Ghuman, an Officer on Special Duty to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, in its communications. The allegations surfaced during an ED investigation into a money laundering case involving a housing society and alleged irregularities in CLU permissions.
ED Flags Corruption Allegations in Punjab
The ED alleged that certain people used fake consent letters while obtaining CLU permission. The agency also flagged the possible involvement of individuals linked to the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office. According to the ED, a network of private persons allegedly influenced government processes, including transfers and postings. The agency asked the Punjab Police to take action against people named in its letters. However, the state police did not act on the communications. Advocate Nikhil Saraf then approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court through a Public Interest Litigation. His petition highlighted the alleged police inaction and sought judicial intervention in the matter.
After hearing the petition, the Punjab and Haryana High Court transferred the case to the CBI for investigation. The central agency will now examine the allegations and the material highlighted by the ED. The investigation may cover alleged corruption in transfers, postings and CLU-related matters. The CBI can also examine the alleged role of private individuals and people connected with the Chief Minister’s Office. Investigators will assess the documents, communications and other evidence linked to the case. The probe will determine whether the allegations have sufficient evidence to support further legal action. The court’s order has therefore added a major development to the ongoing controversy in Punjab.
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Bhagwant Mann Rejects All Allegations
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has rejected the allegations and described them as baseless. He questioned the credibility of the claims made against his government. Mann also accused the BJP-led Centre of using central agencies to target political opponents. He specifically criticised the alleged use of agencies such as the ED and CBI against opposition leaders. The Chief Minister claimed that such investigations could serve political purposes rather than genuine law enforcement. Mann maintained that his government had acted properly and dismissed the corruption allegations. His comments came after the ED’s letters to the Punjab DGP triggered a political controversy. The allegations have since intensified the debate between the Punjab government and the Centre.
The High Court’s decision now puts the allegations under a central investigation. The CBI will examine the claims independently and establish the facts through its investigation. The probe could clarify whether corruption influenced government transfers, postings or CLU permissions. It could also determine whether private individuals played any role in government decisions. The allegations remain unproven unless investigators establish them through evidence and legal proceedings. The case has attracted significant attention because it involves allegations linked to the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office. The CBI investigation could now provide clarity on the claims raised by the ED and determine whether the matter requires further criminal or legal action.