The Enforcement Directorate has registered a corruption case in Jalandhar against Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, over allegations of misusing official influence to secure government favours. The development came a day after the Supreme Court restrained the Central Bureau of Investigation from taking coercive action against Ghuman while refusing to stay the underlying First Information Report. Prior to initiating proceedings, the financial probe agency had written to Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, flagging suspected irregularities in administrative approvals, official postings, tender allocations, and unauthorized access to confidential government documents in exchange for monetary considerations.
CBI probe initiated following High Court order
The case originates from an earlier investigation initiated by the Central Bureau of Investigation following directives from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The central agency named Ghuman alongside five other individuals: Nitin Gohal, Jitin Gohal, Romi Raja Mahajan, Rajdeep Singh Nagra, and Bir Devinder Singh. According to investigators, the accused allegedly accepted illicit payments and benefits to influence government transfers, tender awards, and administrative decision-making. The High Court’s ruling came in response to complaints regarding public officials abusing their authority to manipulate state administrative mechanisms.
Searches conducted across locations including Chief Minister’s camp office
As part of its probe, the Central Bureau of Investigation executed search operations across multiple premises in Punjab and Chandigarh, including the Punjab Chief Minister’s camp office in Chandigarh. Investigators also issued three summonses requiring Ghuman to join the inquiry, though reports indicate he did not appear. In response to the central agency’s actions, the Punjab government approached the Supreme Court to challenge the High Court order, questioning the rationale of handing the investigation over to a central body and seeking relief from the ongoing probe.
Supreme Court denies stay on FIR as AAP questions ED timing
On October 12, the Supreme Court issued notice to the CBI on the Punjab government’s plea and directed that no coercive steps be taken against Ghuman until the next hearing on January 21, 2027. However, the bench declined to stay the FIR and directed the state administration to cooperate with the ongoing investigation. Following the Enforcement Directorate’s separate case registration in Jalandhar, the Aam Aadmi Party questioned the timing of the financial probe agency’s action, alleging undue haste immediately following the apex court’s relief order, even as the judicial protection was specifically granted regarding the CBI proceedings.
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