The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into corruption allegations involving senior Punjab government officials, including an officer on special duty to the chief minister.
A bench comprising Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor directed the CBI to register an FIR and submit a report on its investigation within two months.
The court said material provided by the Enforcement Directorate prima facie indicated possible involvement of senior public officials in corruption and warranted the registration of an FIR and a proper investigation.
The order came in response to a public interest litigation filed by advocate Nikhil Saraf, who sought an independent investigation after the ED sent information concerning the allegations to the Punjab Police.
The allegations include claims of payments being sought in connection with government transfers, favourable policies and tenders.
The ED had written to Punjab Police seeking the registration of an FIR against private individual Nitin Gohal, who it alleged acted as an intermediary between people seeking government favours and Rajbir Ghuman, an officer on special duty to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. Both Gohal and Ghuman have denied the allegations.
The High Court expressed dissatisfaction with the response of Punjab Police, saying the material supplied by the ED was extensive and contained information that warranted further investigation.
The court said a fair and transparent investigation was necessary and ordered the Punjab government and Punjab Police to provide the CBI with the assistance required to conduct its probe.
Punjab’s AAP government plans to challenge the High Court’s decision in the Supreme Court.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema pointed to a 2020 decision by the previous Congress government withdrawing the state’s general consent for CBI investigations. Under that arrangement, the central agency generally requires prior consent to investigate cases within Punjab, although courts can direct the CBI to investigate cases.
The High Court’s decision has also prompted criticism of the AAP government from opposition parties, which have questioned the government’s anti-corruption record.
The allegations remain subject to investigation, and the court’s direction for a CBI probe does not constitute a finding of guilt against the individuals named.
