NEW DELHI: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has handed over to the CBI the investigation into allegations raised by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Rajbir Singh Ghumman and others.
The controversy stems from an ED investigation into alleged irregularities in land-use permissions and government dealings.
During the probe, the central probe agency questioned private individual Nitin Gohal and alleged that he acted as an intermediary between people seeking government favours and Ghumman.
The agency, which investigates financial crimes, alleged that the network involved influence over transfers and postings, access to confidential government documents, arms licences and government approvals.
This has triggered a fresh political confrontation, with opposition leaders accusing the Bhagwant Mann government of failing to deliver on its anti-corruption promise.
The Opposition offensive is particularly significant because corruption was one of the central issues on which AAP built its political campaign in Punjab. The Mann government had projected itself as an alternative to the traditional political establishment and repeatedly promised strict action against corruption.
With Congress, BJP and SAD leaders separately targeting the government, the issue is likely to become another major flashpoint in the run-up to the 2027 elections.
AAP General Secretary Baltej Pannu, reacting to the High Court-ordered CBI probe, said: “The Central government does not want the people of Punjab to receive the facilities being provided by the Punjab government. Whether it is free electricity, canal water, cashless healthcare, or financial assistance being transferred into women’s accounts, the Centre has withheld Punjab’s funds. Despite this, the Punjab government is providing various facilities to the people from its own funds. The Central government believes that as long as these facilities continue to reach the people, it will not be able to gain political benefit in Punjab. That is why the Punjab government’s team is being targeted.”
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