CBI Searches Punjab CM Mann’s Camp Office in Court Ordered Corruption Probe

CHANDIGARH, Oct 6: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday searched Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s camp office in Chandigarh, a day after the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the agency to investigate allegations of corruption involving officials associated with the Chief Minister’s Office.

CBI teams also conducted searches at multiple other premises, including the residence of Mann’s Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Rajbir Singh Ghuman in Gharachon village and the house of one of Ghuman’s relatives in Mohali, according to reports.

The searches came after the High Court ordered the registration of a criminal case based on allegations contained in three communications sent by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to Punjab Police. The matter concerns claims of improper influence in government functioning and alleged involvement of Ghuman and other individuals.

Mann alleged that the central government was using investigative agencies against his administration with Punjab elections approaching.

In a social media post, the Chief Minister said the BJP had begun preparations for the Punjab elections and alleged that the CBI search at his camp office was part of an attempt to discredit him and his government. He further accused the Centre of planning to use both the ED and CBI for political purposes in the state.

The BJP did not immediately issue a response to Mann’s allegations.

On Monday, a division bench comprising Punjab and Haryana High Court Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor directed the CBI to register a criminal case and carry out a fair investigation into the allegations contained in the ED communications. The agency has been asked to submit its report within two months.

The case originated from a public interest litigation filed by advocate Nikhil Saraf after the Punjab Police allegedly failed to register an FIR based on the information provided by the ED.

According to the allegations cited before the court, Ghuman and certain private individuals were purportedly connected to a network that sought to influence transfers and postings, obtain confidential government information, facilitate arms licences and affect government approvals and other official decisions.

The allegations remain unproven, and the CBI investigation is expected to determine whether the claims disclose any criminal offences.

The High Court observed that the material placed before it warranted an independent and transparent investigation. It also directed the Punjab government and police to provide full assistance to the CBI during the proceedings.

The court questioned the manner in which Punjab Police had dealt with the information received from the ED. It noted that the police appeared to have conducted only a preliminary inquiry and that Ghuman had not been summoned to participate in the probe.

Meanwhile, the Punjab government approached the Supreme Court on Tuesday, challenging the High Court’s decision to hand the matter over to the CBI.

Senior advocate Vikas Singh, representing the Punjab government, sought an urgent hearing and argued that the case involved issues concerning the federal structure. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant did not take up the plea immediately but said it could be listed on Wednesday or Thursday.

According to court proceedings, Singh also argued that cases of this nature were being raised during election periods, saying they were being “trumped up” at such a time.

The CBI searches followed the High Court’s intervention but do not establish guilt against Ghuman or any other individual named in the allegations. The investigation will determine whether the claims are supported by evidence and whether any criminal liability arises.