CBI opens Punjab corruption case as Mann government challenges High Court order
publishers 15articles 25first reported 5 Oct, 05:20 UTCdeveloping since 5 Oct · 14 editions
The Central Bureau of Investigation registered a corruption case and searched several locations on Tuesday, including Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s camp office, after the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered an inquiry into allegations involving people linked to his office.
The High Court directed the CBI to register an FIR, begin its investigation immediately and report back within two months. The court said it was dissatisfied with the Punjab Police’s handling of information shared by the Enforcement Directorate and concluded that a fair and transparent investigation was required.
The allegations concern purported cash-for-transfers and postings, efforts to influence government policies and tenders, access to confidential documents and interference in official processes. The ED had sought a case against Mann’s officer on special duty, Rajbir Singh Ghuman, and his alleged associates Nitin Gohal and Bir Devinder. The allegations have not been proven.
Punjab’s Aam Aadmi Party government challenged the order in the Supreme Court on Tuesday. Its lawyer argued that the High Court could not direct the CBI to register an FIR and said the order raised federalism concerns ahead of state elections. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant said the court would consider listing the plea on Wednesday or Thursday.
Mann said Wednesday that the searches found nothing incriminating and accused the BJP of misusing federal agencies before elections. He said his government was not afraid of an investigation and would face it. Opposition parties, including Congress and the Shiromani Akali Dal, criticized the AAP government, with Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa demanding Mann’s resignation.
HOW THIS STORY WAS MADE
Written from 6 articles, 6 with the publisher's own text; 2 independent newsrooms once syndicated copies count as one; this version written 54 h after the record first saw the story; the editor kept it as written.
- Publishers
- 15
- Source articles
- 25
- Given to the writer
- 6, 6 with the article's own text
- Independent newsrooms
- 2
- This version written
- 54 h after the record first saw the story
- Second model (editor)
- kept as written
- Publication gate
- passed
- Human review
- none
WHAT THE EDITOR DID
The second model checked the writer's draft against the same sources and published it as written.
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