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Punjab High Court orders CBI probe into corruption allegations against CM's office
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe corruption allegations involving the office of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The court's decision follows a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Nikhil Saraf after the Punjab Police failed to act on three letters from the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The ED's allegations suggest that Rajbir Singh Ghuman, the Chief Minister's Officer on Special Duty (OSD), along with associates Nitin Gohal and Bir Devinder, were involved in a corruption racket. The agency claims these individuals interfered in administrative processes, including government tenders, arms licenses, and the transfer and posting of officials.
The High Court has directed the CBI to register a criminal case and submit a status report within two months. The court also ordered the Punjab government and state police to provide full assistance to the central agency. Political leaders have reacted sharply to the ruling; the BJP has criticized the Aam Aadmi Party government for a perceived collapse in law and order and accountability, while the Leader of the Opposition, Pratap Singh Bajwa, welcomed the move for an impartial investigation.
Entities
Aam Aadmi Party · Bhagwant Mann · Bharatiya Janata Party · Central Bureau of Investigation · Enforcement Directorate · Kewal Singh Dhillon · Mad Sandhu · Punjab · Punjab and Haryana High Court · Rajbir Singh Ghuman
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Dhillon alleged Punjab Police cremated the body of Sanamdeep Singh without his family's consent.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The family of Sanamdeep Singh alleged that harassment related to a village dispute led to his suicide.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Dhillon claimed criminals are operating without fear in the state. desitalkchicago.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Former sarpanch Navtej Singh was attacked by motorcycle-borne assailants in Ludhiana. desitalkchicago.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Punjab BJP president Kewal Singh Dhillon alleged that the law and order situation in Punjab has collapsed. desitalkchicago.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Social media influencer Mad Sandhu was killed by unidentified motorcycle-borne assailants in Amritsar. desitalkchicago.com
- [● 9 SOURCES] The Enforcement Directorate sent three letters to the Punjab DGP requesting an FIR be registered. tennews.in · www.barandbench.com · www.nationalheraldindia.com · newsable.asianetnews.com · www.orissapost.com · +2 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] The CBI must submit its investigation report within two months. tennews.in · www.barandbench.com · www.nationalheraldindia.com · newsable.asianetnews.com · www.orissapost.com · +3 more
- [● 10 SOURCES] Advocate Nikhil Saraf filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to transfer the case to the CBI. tennews.in · www.barandbench.com · www.nationalheraldindia.com · newsable.asianetnews.com · www.orissapost.com · +2 more
- [● 11 SOURCES] The Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered the CBI to investigate corruption allegations involving the Punjab Chief Minister's Office. tennews.in · www.barandbench.com · www.nationalheraldindia.com · newsable.asianetnews.com · www.orissapost.com · +4 more
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Aam Aadmi Party accused the central government of using the Enforcement Directorate to defame the state government. www.barandbench.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Leader of the Opposition Pratap Singh Bajwa welcomed the court's decision for a CBI probe.