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Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on monday ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into allegations of corruption involving senior Punjab government officials, including claims of “cash for transfers”, favourable policies and tenders. The order came while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) alleging a network of corruption in the transfer and posting of government officials, tender allocation, policy decisions and other official processes.
The case relates to three letters written by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to the Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) about the alleged illegal activities.The petitioner, advocate Nikhil Saraf, had sought an independent CBI investigation monitored by the court. He alleged that despite the information provided by the ED, the Punjab Police had not taken the required action.
The High Court had described the allegations as serious during a hearing in August and directed the ED to place its letters to the Punjab DGP before the court.In September, the CBI told the court that it had no objection to taking up the investigation if directed to do so. The agency said it would follow the court’s directions.
The Punjab government had opposed a CBI probe, questioning the ED’s action and allegations. It told the court that the state government was examining the matter at its own level.The High Court has directed the CBI to complete the investigation and submit its report within two months.
The North News
