Supreme Court Upholds CBI Investigation into Punjab CM's Aide Amid Corruption Claims

The Supreme Court has ruled against staying the CBI's FIR concerning corruption allegations against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's Officer on Special Duty, Rajvir Ghuman. The court has mandated that the Punjab government cooperate with the investigation initiated by the CBI, following a directive from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The allegations stem from claims made by the Enforcement Directorate regarding interference in administrative processes. As the CBI conducts its investigation, including searches at multiple locations, the case highlights significant concerns regarding corruption within the Punjab government. This ruling sets the stage for further developments in the ongoing investigation.

By Narendra Chaudhary Oct 12, 2026, 13:19 IST

Supreme Court's Decision on CBI Investigation

New Delhi: On Monday, the Supreme Court declined to halt the FIR filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding corruption allegations against Rajvir Ghuman, an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, along with others. The court instructed that no coercive actions should be taken in this case.

A bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and Prasanna B. Varale issued a notice in response to the Punjab government's challenge against the Punjab and Haryana High Court's directive for the CBI to investigate the allegations.

While the Supreme Court did not stay the FIR, it emphasized the necessity for the state government to assist in the investigation.

The Punjab government is contesting the High Court's order from October 5, which mandated the CBI to investigate corruption claims stemming from three letters sent by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to Punjab's Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav.

The High Court had instructed the CBI to file a case and provide a status report within two months, urging the Punjab government and police to fully cooperate with the central agency.

The ED alleged that Ghuman and his associates, Nitin Gohal and Bir Devinder, were involved in manipulating administrative transfers, postings, and government tenders, prompting the call for an FIR.

After the Punjab Police failed to act on the ED's communications, advocate Nikhil Saraf filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Punjab and Haryana High Court, seeking an independent CBI investigation.

The petition claimed that the communications included serious allegations against individuals associated with the Chief Minister's Office and demanded an unbiased investigation, free from the influence of the Punjab Police and Vigilance.

Following the High Court's orders, the CBI has registered an FIR and commenced its investigation.

The agency has also conducted searches at eight locations in Chandigarh and Punjab, including the Chief Minister's camp office and properties linked to Ghuman in Sangrur and Mohali.

Ghuman and his associates have been summoned to the CBI's Chandigarh office as part of the ongoing investigation.

Previously, the matter was presented before Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu. On October 9, Justice Nagu recused himself from the case, leading to the matter being referred to Chief Justice of India Surya Kant for the formation of a new bench.