Daijiworld Media Network - Chandigarh
Chandigarh, Oct 5: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered a CBI investigation into allegations of corruption involving the office of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and private individuals, following communications from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to the Punjab Director General of Police seeking action in the matter.
The ED had written three letters to the Punjab DGP alleging widespread corruption in government transfers and postings, Change of Land Use (CLU) matters and other government-related dealings in the state.
The agency had sought action against several individuals and named Rajbir Ghuman, an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, in its communications.
The allegations emerged during an ED investigation into a money laundering case involving a housing society and alleged irregularities in obtaining CLU permission. The agency had alleged that fake consent letters were used in the process and had flagged the alleged involvement of individuals connected to the Punjab Chief Minister's Office.
In its communications, the ED also alleged that a network of private individuals was involved in influencing government processes, including transfers and postings. The agency sought police action against the persons named in its letters.
The Punjab Police, however, did not take action on the ED's communications, following which advocate Nikhil Saraf approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court through a Public Interest Litigation.
The PIL sought judicial intervention over the alleged inaction by the state police and requested action on the allegations raised by the ED.
Hearing the matter on Monday, the High Court transferred the case to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for investigation.
The allegations have triggered a political controversy in Punjab, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann rejecting them as baseless.
In August, Mann had questioned the credibility of the allegations against his government and accused the BJP-led Centre of using central agencies, including the ED and CBI, to target political opponents.
Mann had alleged that the agencies were being used to defame, threaten and suppress opposition leaders and political rivals.