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Chandigarh: The Central Bureau of Investigation on Tuesday conducted searches at several locations in Punjab, including premises linked to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman in connection with allegations of corruption and alleged interference in government affairs.
CBI teams raided a residence in Mohali Phase 11 belonging to Gurkirpal Singh Thind, brother of CM OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman. Searches were also reported at other locations, including a Chandigarh house located near the Chief Minister’s residence.
The raids followed the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s direction to the CBI to register an FIR and investigate allegations based on information shared by the Enforcement Directorate.
The allegations relate to the purported role and influence of CM OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman in government functioning, including alleged interference in transfers and postings and other administrative matters. The allegations are currently under investigation and have not been established by any court.
Majithia attacks Mann government
Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia has targeted the Punjab Government following the CBI raids.
In posts on social media, Majithia described the CBI action as the “beginning of the end” of the alleged corruption network and claimed that Rajbir Singh Ghuman, whom he accused of operating as a key figure around the CM House, was now on the CBI radar.
Majithia also claimed that Rajbir Singh Ghuman and Amandeep Grewal, the brother in law of Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, were at large following the CBI raids. This claim could not be independently verified.
The allegations made by Majithia are political claims and have not been established by a court.
ED material led to CBI investigation
The case originated from material shared by the ED with Punjab Police regarding alleged corruption and interference in government functioning.
The ED had raised allegations concerning intermediaries allegedly acting between individuals seeking government favours and people connected with the Chief Minister’s Office. The allegations include interference in transfers and postings, access to government information and influence over administrative decisions.
The Punjab Government and those named in the allegations have denied any wrongdoing.
High Court ordered CBI probe
The Punjab and Haryana High Court intervened after the ED repeatedly wrote to Punjab Police seeking registration of a case. The court subsequently directed the CBI to register an FIR and investigate the allegations.
The Punjab Government has challenged the High Court’s order before the Supreme Court.
The latest searches represent a significant development in the case and bring CM OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman and people allegedly linked to him under greater investigative scrutiny.
The CBI investigation will now establish whether the allegations disclose criminal offences and whether evidence supports the claims contained in the ED material.