Punjab and Haryana HC orders CBI probe into ED letters to Punjab DGP
Synopsis
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered the CBI to probe ED letters alleging corruption by Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's OSD and associates — letters that Punjab Police sat on without registering an FIR. With a two-month deadline on the CBI report, the case puts the AAP government in Punjab under its most serious judicial scrutiny yet.
Key Takeaways
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on 5 October 2026 ordered the CBI to take over the case linked to ED letters sent to Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav .
The ED had written three letters alleging corruption by Rajbir Singh Ghuman (OSD to CM Bhagwant Mann) and associates Nitin Gohal and Bir Devinder .
Allegations include interference in transfers, manipulation of government tenders, and illegal gratification.
The CBI must submit its report within two months as directed by the court.
The PIL was filed by Advocate Nikhil Saraf after Punjab Police failed to register an FIR on the ED's reference.
Both the SAD and BJP had previously demanded a CBI probe, with BJP's Vijay Sampla calling for preservation of all evidence.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday, 5 October 2026, directed that the case stemming from letters written by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav be transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for a fair and independent inquiry. The court has additionally mandated that the CBI submit its report within two months.
What the ED Letters Alleged
The ED had written three letters to DGP Gaurav Yadav, alleging that Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Rajbir Singh Ghuman and his associates Nitin Gohal and Bir Devinder were engaged in corruption. The agency specifically alleged interference in administrative transfers and postings, manipulation of government tenders, unauthorised leakage of confidential government information, criminal conspiracy, and illegal gratification — all cognisable offences under Indian law.
Despite the gravity of these allegations, Punjab Police did not register a First Information Report (FIR), which ultimately prompted legal action before the High Court.
How the PIL Was Filed
Advocate Nikhil Saraf filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) before the Punjab and Haryana High Court, arguing that the ED's letters levelled serious allegations against officials linked to the Punjab Chief Minister's Office (CMO). Saraf contended that the investigation must be handled by the CBI to ensure it remains 'free from the influence of the Punjab Police and Punjab Vigilance.' The petition also sought a detailed probe into the money trail and strict action against those found guilty.
Political Pressure Preceding the Order
The court's directive comes after sustained political pressure from opposition parties. Last month, the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) urged Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to recommend a time-bound, court-monitored CBI probe, invoking the Governor's powers under Article 167 of the Constitution to call for a report from the Chief Secretary and the DGP on why no FIR had been registered.
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) also demanded an independent investigation. Former Union Minister Vijay Sampla told reporters: 'We therefore demand an independent Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the entire matter.' Sampla called for preservation of all digital, documentary, and financial evidence alongside registration of the FIR sought by the ED.
What Happens Next
With the High Court's order now in place, the CBI is expected to formally take over the case and initiate its investigation into the roles of Gohal, Ghuman, Bir Devinder, and any other individuals named in the ED material. The agency must present its findings to the court within two months. The case is likely to intensify political scrutiny of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, particularly regarding the functioning of the Chief Minister's Office.
Point of View
The judiciary is forced to step in. The Punjab Police's inaction on three ED letters — each alleging cognisable offences linked to the CMO — was not a procedural delay but a signal of institutional paralysis. For the AAP government, which came to power on an anti-corruption platform, having the CMO at the centre of a court-ordered CBI inquiry is a reputational crisis that no press conference can easily neutralise. The two-month deadline on the CBI report also means findings could surface well before the next Punjab electoral cycle, raising the political stakes considerably.
NationPress
5 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the Punjab and Haryana High Court order a CBI probe?
The court ordered a CBI probe after Punjab Police failed to register an FIR despite three letters from the ED alleging corruption involving Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman and associates. A PIL filed by Advocate Nikhil Saraf argued that a fair investigation required an agency independent of Punjab Police and Punjab Vigilance.
What are the allegations in the ED letters to the Punjab DGP?
The ED's letters allege that OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Nitin Gohal, and Bir Devinder were involved in interference in administrative transfers and postings, manipulation of government tenders, unauthorised leakage of confidential government information, criminal conspiracy, and illegal gratification. The agency had urged the DGP to register an FIR against them.
What is the deadline for the CBI to submit its report?
The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the CBI to submit its investigation report within two months of taking over the case.
Who filed the PIL and what did it seek?
Advocate Nikhil Saraf filed the PIL before the Punjab and Haryana High Court. He sought transfer of the case to the CBI for a fair and independent investigation, a detailed probe into the money trail, and strict action against those found guilty.
What action did opposition parties demand before the court order?
The Shiromani Akali Dal urged Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria to invoke Article 167 and recommend a court-monitored CBI probe, while the BJP — through former Union Minister Vijay Sampla — demanded an independent CBI investigation and preservation of all digital, documentary, and financial evidence.
