CBI Raids Punjab CM Mann’s OSD in Corruption Case, AAP-BJP Clash Escalates

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a corruption case against Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and five others, triggering a fresh political confrontation between the ruling Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and the BJP ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections.

The CBI conducted searches at eight locations across Chandigarh, Mohali, Gurdaspur, Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur and Jalandhar on Tuesday. The agency said the case followed a Punjab and Haryana High Court order dated October 5, which directed it to investigate allegations earlier raised by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The allegations concern an alleged network involved in influencing transfers and postings of IAS and IPS officers, departmental proceedings, policy formulation, administrative approvals, tenders, licensing, Change of Land Use matters, property disputes and revenue-related issues in exchange for alleged financial benefits. The CBI also alleged that confidential drafts of government orders and policies were shared with private individuals before their official release.

The FIR names Ghuman, Nitin Gohal, Jitin Gohal alias Raja, Romi Raja Mahajan, Bir Devinder and R S Nagra, besides unidentified public servants and private persons. Laptops, mobile phones and documents were seized during the searches and are being examined as part of the investigation. The CBI has since summoned Ghuman for questioning.

The allegations originated from material submitted by the ED, which had earlier written to the Punjab DGP seeking registration of a case. A PIL filed by advocate Nikhil Saraf subsequently reached the High Court after the Punjab Police did not register an FIR. The court said the material prima facie indicated the involvement of high public officials and ordered a CBI investigation.

The searches immediately became a political issue. Bhagwant Mann accused the BJP-led Centre of misusing central agencies ahead of the elections and alleged that the action was aimed at defaming his government. The CBI, however, clarified that the search was not of the formal “Chief Minister's Office” but of a premises being used by his OSD.

AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal also criticised the action, alleging that the BJP was attempting to use the ED and CBI in Punjab for electoral purposes. The confrontation has also moved to the legal front. The Punjab government has approached the Supreme Court challenging the High Court's decision to hand the investigation to the CBI, arguing that the agency should not proceed on what it considers untested material. The Supreme Court is expected to consider the state's plea.