Punjab & Haryana High Court orders CBI probe into ED allegations against CM Bhagwant Mann's close aides

The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register a criminal case to probe allegations of corruption linked to the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's office.

A bench of Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor asked the CBI to file a report on its probe within two months.

"State of Punjab as well as Punjab Police would render all assistance to the CBI in carrying out of fair investigation," the Court directed.

The order was passed in a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) petition filed by advocate Nikhil Saraf.

He told the Court Punjab Police had failed to take appropriate action on the letters written by Enforcement Directorate (ED) for probe into the allegations against Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann's Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Rajbir Singh Ghuman.

According to the ED, an individual Nitin Gohal acted as intermediary between people seeking favours from the government, and OSD Ghuman. The allegations relate to transfers, access to confidential government documents, facilitation of arms licences and other benefits.

Aam Aadmi Party, which is in power in Punjab, has accused the Central government of using the ED to defame the State government.

Advocate Ravi Kamal Gupta represented the CBI.