The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has issued a summons directing Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, to appear for questioning at its Chandigarh
office. The summons came after the federal agency registered a First Information Report (FIR) on October 5 and conducted coordinated raids across eight locations in Punjab and Chandigarh.
The extensive searches targeted Chief Minister Mann’s Camp Office, Ghuman’s residential premises, and the homes of his close associates, alongside raids across Mohali, Patiala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar, and Gurdaspur districts. Simultaneously, the state government is set to mention its urgent petition before the Supreme Court challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court order that directed the CBI probe.
Core Allegations Uncovered in ED Money Laundering Probe
The foundation of the CBI’s FIR stems from communications sent by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to the Director General of Police (DGP), Punjab, under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). During money laundering raids conducted in May on an individual named Nitin Gohal and his associates, the ED uncovered extensive documentary and digital evidence detailing a widespread corruption network.
The CBI FIR
Recovered WhatsApp conversations and internal ledgers indicate that Gohal operated as an active intermediary, leveraging his access to CM’s OSD Rajbir Ghuman to influence state government decisions. The ED alleges Gohal collected crores of rupees in proceeds of crime to manipulate government transfers, tender specifications, departmental rule amendments, and the procurement of arms licences. Evidence cited in the FIR includes leaked confidential policy drafts, discussions on illegal cash payments, and records showing Gohal funded air travel and hotel stays for key government associates in cash.
Seven Accused Named Under Criminal Conspiracy and Cheating Charges
The CBI FIR formally names seven accused alongside unknown public servants and private individuals. The named individuals include Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Nitin Gohal, Jitin Gohal (alias Raja), Romi Raja Mahajan, Bir Devinder, and RS Nagra.
The agency has invoked penal provisions under both the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS):
- Criminal Conspiracy (IPC Section 120B / BNS Section 61(2)): Applied for entering into an illegal agreement to perform unlawful acts, including taking bribes to manipulate state policy, administrative approvals, and government decisions.
- Cheating and Dishonestly Inducing Delivery of Property (IPC Section 420 / BNS Section 318(4)): Invoked for deceiving individuals and dishonestly inducing the delivery of money or property through fraudulent promises of government favours.
Scope of Institutional Corruption Outlined in FIR
According to the official communication sent to the Punjab Police and detailed in the CBI FIR, the accused conspired to take bribes across vast areas of state administration. The documented illicit activities include influence over Change of Land Use (CLU) matters, land demarcation proceedings, property disputes, housing scheme approvals, and sensitive revenue records.
The FIR emphasises that the syndicate misused access to confidential state information to manipulate government procurement, tweak departmental rules, and influence postings and transfers across departments in exchange for illegal gratification.
