CBI teams search Bhagwant Mann’s camp office in Chandigarh amid corruption probe. (Img: X)
Chandigarh: The CBI on Tuesday conducted searches at Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s camp office in this state capital and locations linked to his OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman.
The searches came a day after the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered a CBI probe into corruption allegations linked to the Chief Minister’s Office.
CBI teams reached House No. 50 in Sector 2, Chandigarh, identified as the Punjab Chief Minister’s camp office and guest house. The searches were underway at multiple locations in Chandigarh and Punjab.
Investigators also searched the residence of Mann’s OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman in Gharachon village. Another search was reported at the Phase 11 residence in Mohali of Gur Kirpal Singh Thind, identified as Ghuman’s brother. The action follows the High Court’s direction to transfer the investigation into the allegations to the CBI.
The searches came shortly after the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered a CBI investigation into allegations raised in connection with the functioning of the Chief Minister’s Office.
The court directed the central agency to register a case and investigate the material placed before it. The CBI has also been asked to submit a status report within two months.
The allegations involve claims related to government transfers and postings, policy decisions, tenders, licences, land-related permissions and other official matters. The court’s order does not establish these allegations as proven. They will now be examined as part of the CBI investigation.
Rajbir Singh Ghuman, an Officer on Special Duty to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, is at the centre of the allegations being examined. Material presented before the High Court reportedly alleged that private individuals acted as intermediaries between people seeking government-related benefits and persons connected with the Chief Minister’s Office.
The allegations include claims of influence over transfers and postings, access to official information, intervention in government decisions and tender-related matters, assistance in obtaining licences and other official favours.
The material also contains allegations relating to land-use permissions and monetary benefits. The CBI will now examine the evidence and determine the facts.
The legal battle over the investigation is not over. The Punjab government has challenged the High Court’s order transferring the matter to the CBI before the Supreme Court. The state government had questioned the reliability and clarity of some of the material placed before the court.
The High Court, however, ordered a central agency investigation, citing the need for a fair and transparent probe. The Supreme Court proceedings could now have a direct bearing on the future course of the investigation.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann rejected the allegations and attacked the BJP-led Centre following the CBI searches. Mann alleged that the BJP had started preparing for the Punjab elections and claimed that central agencies such as the CBI and Enforcement Directorate could be used against his government.
He further linked the action to the political atmosphere in Punjab and accused the BJP of being concerned about the response to the Aam Aadmi Party government.
