Punjab and Haryana High Court orders CBI probe

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation to investigate corruption allegations linked to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s office and submit a report within two months. The allegations, made by the Enforcement Directorate, have not been established, and the court’s order is not a finding of guilt against anyone named in them. The order followed a public interest litigation filed by advocate Nikhil Saraf, who sought action on the ED’s communications to Punjab Police. The petition argued that the state police had not acted on the agency’s allegations. The High Court directed the CBI to take up the matter; one account of the order said the agency was instructed to register a criminal case. The court also directed Punjab and Punjab Police to assist the investigation, according to that account. The ED has alleged that Rajbir Singh Ghuman, an Officer on Special Duty to Mann, and intermediaries including Nitin Gohal were involved in influencing government processes. The reported allegations concern transfers and postings, government tenders, access to confidential documents and other government approvals.