The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register a criminal case and investigate allegations of corruption linked to the office of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor directed the CBI to submit a report on its investigation within two months. The Court further directed the State of Punjab and the Punjab Police to extend all assistance to the CBI in conducting a fair investigation.
The PIL concerns allegations made by the ED against Rajbir Singh Ghuman, OSD to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and private individual Nitin Gohal. According to the ED, Gohal allegedly acted as an intermediary between persons seeking government-related favours and Ghuman, with the agency alleging involvement in transfers and postings, access to confidential government documents, facilitation of arms licences and other government approvals.