Chandigarh, October 6, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann on Tuesday alleged that the recent Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) searches linked to his office were politically motivated and claimed that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) had begun preparing for the upcoming Assembly elections in the state.
The CBI conducted searches at multiple locations, including the Chief Minister’s Camp Office in Sector 2, Chandigarh, the residence of Mann’s Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Rajbir Ghuman in Gharachon village and the residence of Ghuman’s close relative in Mohali.
Reacting to the action in a post on X, Mann alleged that the BJP had started preparing for the Punjab polls and described the search at his camp office as part of that process.
He also alleged that central agencies such as the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED) could be misused to target the Punjab government and its functionaries.
Mann claimed that the BJP was concerned over the support his government was receiving from the people of Punjab and alleged that central investigative agencies were being used to tarnish the image of the state government and its leadership.
The Chief Minister’s allegations came a day after the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the CBI to register a case and submit a status report within two months over allegations of corruption involving Ghuman and others.
The ED had earlier written three letters to Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, alleging that Ghuman and his associates, Nitin Gohal and Bir Devinder, were involved in corruption-related activities.
The agency alleged that the individuals were interfering in administrative transfers and postings as well as government tenders, and sought registration of an FIR.
After the Punjab Police did not register a case based on the ED communications, advocate Nikhil Saraf approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court through a public interest litigation seeking a CBI investigation.
Saraf argued that the ED communications contained serious allegations involving individuals linked to the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office and sought an independent probe free from the influence of the Punjab Police and Punjab Vigilance Bureau.
The petitioner also sought an investigation into the alleged money trail and appropriate action against anyone found responsible for wrongdoing.
The allegations remain under investigation, and no conclusions have been reached by the investigating agencies or the court.
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