NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has pasted a summons outside the residence of Rajbir Ghuman, officer on special duty (OSD) to Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann, in an alleged corruption case involving claims of bribery to influence government postings and decisions. The agency has registered an FIR against Ghuman and his associates following orders from the Punjab and Haryana High Court and a report from the Enforcement Directorate (ED).The CBI’s move came after Ghuman did not appear before the agency at its Chandigarh office on Wednesday for questioning. He had reportedly been asked to appear at 2.30pm. However, he did not attend because he had not been formally served the summons, news agency PTI reported, citing chief minister office sources.
What are the corruption allegations?
In a press release, the CBI said it was investigating allegations of corruption involving the manipulation of postings of IAS and IPS officers, departmental proceedings, policy formulation, administrative approvals, tender conditions and licensing matters in exchange for financial benefits.The probe also covers alleged irregularities in land-use conversion, property disputes, and revenue and land-related matters. The agency further alleged that public servants accessed and shared drafts of government orders and policies with private individuals before their official issuance.The CBI has named six individuals in the case: Ghuman, Nitin Gohal, Jitin Gohal alias Raja, Romi Raja Mahajan, Bir Devinder and R.S. Nagra. The FIR also names unknown public servants and private persons. The agency said the accused include two public servants, middlemen and associates.
CBI searches eight locations
The agency said it conducted coordinated searches at eight locations across Chandigarh, Mohali, Gurdaspur, Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur and Jalandhar.During the searches, the CBI seized laptops, mobile phones and documents. The material is being examined for evidence of bribery and other alleged improprieties. Further investigation is under way.
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“The CBI remains unwavering in its fight against corruption and bringing the perpetrators of bribery to book,” the agency said in its press release.
Mann accuses BJP of targeting opponents ahead of polls
On Thursday, Mann accused the BJP of using central agencies to intimidate political opponents ahead of the 2027 Punjab Assembly elections.Addressing a press conference, the chief minister said, “BJP has started election preparations in Punjab through ED and CBI. Conducting raids a few months before elections to intimidate opponents has been BJP’s old tactic. Raids are carried out as part of a pre-planned strategy.”The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government has also approached the Supreme Court, challenging the CBI probe. The top court is scheduled to hear the state’s plea seeking a stay on the high court’s direction for a CBI investigation.
