Punjab High Court Orders CBI Probe into Cash-for-Transfers Scam Linked to CM Office
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday ordered the CBI to investigate serious corruption allegations involving the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office.
A division bench of Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor directed the CBI to register a criminal case and submit a status report within two months. The court said a fair and transparent probe is needed. It also ordered the Punjab government and state police to fully cooperate with the CBI.
What Triggered the Order
The Enforcement Directorate had sent three letters to Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav between July and August. The letters alleged a large-scale “cash-for-transfers” racket operating through people linked to the Chief Minister’s Office.
According to the ED, a private person named Nitin Gohal acted as a middleman for Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The agency claimed Gohal, along with associates including Bir Devinder and Jitin Gohal, influenced transfers and postings of IAS, IPS and other officers in exchange for money. They allegedly also leaked confidential government files, helped get arms licences, and cleared commercial projects and land-use changes.
The ED said this network collected crores in cash and property. The material came from an ongoing money-laundering investigation involving land deals in Mohali.
Despite the ED’s letters, Punjab Police did not register any case. Advocate Nikhil Saraf then filed a public interest litigation in the High Court seeking an independent CBI probe.
Court’s Observation
The High Court was not satisfied with how the Punjab Police handled the matter. It said the allegations are serious and require investigation by a central agency free from state influence.
Political Reaction
The order is a major setback for the AAP government in Punjab. Opposition parties have demanded accountability. The Punjab government has said it will challenge the High Court order in the Supreme Court, citing the state’s earlier withdrawal of general consent to the CBI.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has previously dismissed the allegations as baseless.
The CBI will now investigate the claims of cash-for-transfers, cash-for-policies, cash-for-tenders and related illegal activities linked to the Punjab CM Office and close aides.