The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Tuesday conducted searches at eight locations, including the camp office of Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann and the residence of his Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Rajbir Singh Ghuman, in Chandigarh, as part of a corruption probe.
The accused allegedly influenced and manipulated the postings of officers, including IAS and IPS officers, as well as departmental proceedings, policy formulation, administrative approvals, tender conditions, licensing matters, land-use conversion, property disputes, and revenue and land-related issues in exchange for pecuniary benefits.
The agency said incriminating material, including laptops, mobile phones and documents, was seized during the searches and is being scrutinised for evidence of alleged bribery and other improprieties. “ The CBI conducted extensive coordinated searches at 08 locations across Chandigarh, Mohali, Gurdaspur, Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur and Jalandhar at premises connected with the accused persons,” CBI said. The CBI said it registered the FIR to investigate allegations of corruption against Mann’s OSD and his associates.
During a hearing on Monday, the Punjab and Haryana had ordered the CBI to probe the claims. Further investigation is in progress. The case pertains to the Enforcement Directorate (ED)’s allegations of high-level corruption in the Punjab government. The Punjab government has moved the Supreme Court against the order. The ED’s allegations remain under investigation and are not findings of guilt. The matter is listed for later in the week.
“Pursuant to the orders of the Hon’ble Punjab and Haryana High Court and receipt of report from ED, the CBI has registered an FIR to investigate the allegations of corruption against OSD to Punjab Chief Minister (CM) and his associates” The agency also alleged that the accused public servants accessed and provided drafts of government orders and policies to private persons before they were officially issued by the government.
