Shield the guilty no longer: Punjab and Haryana High Court hands CMO corruption letters to the CBI

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation to take over a corruption case that the Punjab Police, in the court's assessment, appeared to shield rather than investigate.

In an order dated October 5, 2026, a bench of Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor directed the CBI to register a First Information Report and proceed forthwith, after the Enforcement Directorate had shared material under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The court said the material was voluminous and incriminating and had expected a responsible response from the state police.

The ED had written three letters to Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, dated in July and August according to court proceedings, seeking an FIR against Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and alleged associates including Nitin Gohal and Bir Devinder. The letters alleged interference in administrative transfers and postings, government tenders and policy decisions in exchange for illegal gratification, supported by digital evidence including chats and ledgers cited in the petition.

Advocate Nikhil Saraf filed the public interest litigation after the police did not register a case. He argued that an investigation by Punjab Police or state vigilance would lack independence when the allegations reached the Chief Minister Office, and he sought a CBI probe, examination of the money trail and action against those found guilty. The petition also alleged retaliatory demolition proceedings against his property after he approached the court, which the bench described as marked by undue haste.

Political reaction was immediate. Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa welcomed the order and questioned the government claim of zero tolerance. BJP leaders also attacked the Aam Aadmi Party government, demanding answers from the Chief Minister. The court directed the CBI to submit a report within two months and asked the state to render full assistance.

The order does not convict anyone. It does something narrower and, for a government elected on an anti corruption promise, more damaging: it records that the state police engaged in prolonged, circular deliberation when given evidence against power, and that only an outside agency can now be trusted to test the allegations fairly.