CBI summons Punjab CM Mann's OSD Ghuman in corruption probe
Synopsis
The CBI has summoned Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman for questioning in Chandigarh, just 24 hours after registering an FIR and raiding eight locations including the CM's camp office. With the Punjab government challenging the High Court's order in the Supreme Court, this corruption probe is heading toward a high-stakes legal and political showdown.
Key Takeaways
CBI summoned Rajbir Singh Ghuman , OSD to Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann , for questioning at its Sector 30, Chandigarh office on 7 October 2026 at 2.30 pm .
An FIR was registered on 6 October naming Ghuman and five others , including Nitin Gohal, Jitin Gohal alias Raja, Romi Raja Mahajan, Bir Devinder, and R.S.
CBI conducted searches at eight locations across Chandigarh and Punjab, including the CM's camp office in Sector 2 and Ghuman's premises in Sangrur and Mohali .
Allegations include irregularities in IAS and IPS officer transfers , government tenders, licences, and land matters.
The case stems from a Punjab and Haryana High Court order based on an Enforcement Directorate (ED) report.
The Punjab government has challenged the High Court direction before the Supreme Court ; CM Mann has denied all charges.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Wednesday, 7 October 2026, summoned Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, directing him to appear at the CBI's Sector 30 office in Chandigarh at 2.30 pm for questioning in connection with an alleged corruption case linked to the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). The summons follows an FIR registered by the agency just a day earlier, intensifying what is shaping up to be one of the most politically charged investigations in Punjab in recent years.
FIR and Searches: What Happened on Tuesday
The CBI on Tuesday, 6 October 2026, registered an FIR naming Ghuman alongside five others — Nitin Gohal, Jitin Gohal alias Raja, Romi Raja Mahajan, Bir Devinder, and R.S. Nagra. The FIR also refers to unidentified public servants and private individuals, according to the agency.
Coordinated searches were conducted at eight locations across Chandigarh and Punjab, including the Chief Minister's camp office in Sector 2, Chandigarh, and premises linked to Ghuman in Sangrur and Mohali. Investigators reportedly seized laptops, mobile phones, and documents, which are being examined as part of the ongoing probe.
Allegations at the Core of the Case
The allegations centre on purported irregularities in government transfers and postings — including those involving IAS and IPS officers — as well as in government policies, tenders, licences, and land-related matters. The case originates from a Punjab and Haryana High Court order directing the CBI to register a case based on a report flagged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
'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 and his associates,' a CBI spokesperson said on Tuesday.
Punjab Government's Response
The Punjab government has challenged the High Court's direction before the Supreme Court. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has rejected the allegations outright, accusing the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre of deploying central investigative agencies for political ends — a charge the Centre has not publicly responded to.
This is not the first time the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab has come into conflict with central agencies; the pattern mirrors similar confrontations in Delhi, where AAP leaders have faced overlapping investigations by the CBI and ED.
What Happens Next
With the Supreme Court set to examine Punjab's challenge, the legal battle over jurisdiction and the High Court's direction could shape the pace of the investigation. The CBI's examination of seized digital evidence and the questioning of Ghuman and associates will be the immediate next steps. How the Supreme Court rules on Punjab's petition is likely to determine how far and fast this case proceeds.
Point of View
Not executive discretion, which complicates that defence. The allegations of irregularities in IAS and IPS postings — if substantiated — strike at the heart of administrative integrity in Punjab. The Supreme Court petition is the real battleground: if the court stays the probe, it buys the government time; if it does not, the pressure on Mann's administration will be difficult to contain.
NationPress
7 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why has the CBI summoned Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann's OSD?
The CBI summoned Rajbir Singh Ghuman, OSD to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, as part of a corruption investigation linked to the Chief Minister's Office. The agency registered an FIR on 6 October 2026 naming Ghuman and five associates over alleged irregularities in government transfers, postings, tenders, licences, and land-related matters.
What is the basis for the CBI FIR in the Punjab corruption case?
The FIR was registered following an order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, which directed the CBI to investigate allegations flagged in a report by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The High Court's direction forms the legal basis for the probe, and the Punjab government has challenged this order before the Supreme Court.
Who else has been named in the CBI FIR alongside Rajbir Singh Ghuman?
The FIR names five others along with Ghuman: Nitin Gohal, Jitin Gohal alias Raja, Romi Raja Mahajan, Bir Devinder, and R.S. Nagra. The agency has also referred to unidentified public servants and private individuals in the case.
What did the CBI seize during its searches in Punjab and Chandigarh?
During searches at eight locations on 6 October 2026 — including the Punjab CM's camp office in Sector 2, Chandigarh, and premises linked to Ghuman in Sangrur and Mohali — the CBI reportedly seized laptops, mobile phones, and documents, which are being examined as part of the investigation.
How has Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann responded to the corruption allegations?
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has rejected all allegations and accused the BJP-led Centre of using central investigative agencies for political purposes. The Punjab government has also moved the Supreme Court challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court's order that directed the CBI to register and investigate the case.
