Punjab CM’s OSD Rajbir Ghuman appears before CBI in corruption case

Spread the news

Chandigarh: Rajbir Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday in a corruption case involving alleged irregularities in government transfers, postings and other official decisions.

Ghuman reached the CBI office with his advocate at around 3 pm. Speaking to reporters, his advocate said the notice had been received through WhatsApp and Ghuman has appeared in response to it.
Ghuman was still inside the CBI office till the filing of last report.

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to stay the CBI’s first information report (FIR) against Ghuman but directed that no coercive action be taken against him.

The case concerns allegations of corruption in the transfer and posting of government officials, including IAS and IPS officers, as well as decisions involving departmental proceedings, government policies, tenders, licences and land matters.

The CBI has named Ghuman, Nitin Gohal, Jitin Gohal alias Raja, Romi Raja Mahajan, Bir Devinder and R S Nagra as accused. The FIR also names unidentified public servants and private individuals.
During searches linked to the investigation, the agency seized laptops, mobile phones and documents. Investigators are examining the material for evidence of alleged bribery and other irregularities.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on October 14, registered a money laundering case against Ghuman and his associates, taking cognisance of the CBI FIR, officials said. The ED’s case follows communications sent to the Punjab Director General of Police alleging a network that sought to influence government decisions in return for financial benefits. The matters allegedly involved transfers and postings, tender processes, licences and land-related cases.

The CBI has also alleged that some public servants shared drafts of government orders and policy documents with private individuals before their formal release.

The investigation followed a Punjab and Haryana High Court order on October 5 directing the CBI to probe the allegations. The court was hearing a public interest petition filed by advocate Nikhil Saraf, which alleged that the Punjab Police had failed to take appropriate action despite receiving information from the ED.

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had earlier criticised the searches, accusing the BJP-led central government of using the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) to target his government and undermine the Punjab government’s credibility.