‘CBI Probe Ordered by High Court, Not BJP’: Rana Sodhi Challenges AAP’s Allegations

October 7, 2026

Ferozepur: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has rejected allegations by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) and Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann that central agencies such as the CBI and ED are being misused for political purposes ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections. The BJP said the central issue was not politics but whether allegations emerging from an investigation should be independently examined.

Rana Gurmit Singh Sodhi, former Minister and Senior BJP leader said the CBI inquiry in the matter was not initiated by the BJP or the Central Government, but was ordered by the Punjab and Haryana High Court after a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was filed. According to the BJP, the matter had initially reached the Enforcement Directorate (ED) through the Punjab Police itself.

He said that during a Punjab Police investigation into a real estate-related case in 2011, allegations concerning money laundering and transfer of money abroad came to light, following which the police informed the ED. The ED subsequently investigated the matter. During a 2026 search linked to Nitin Gohal, the agency reportedly recovered diaries and electronic material, including screenshots, which allegedly contained information relating to corruption, government work, transfers and postings.

Sodhi further said, after examining the material, the ED wrote to the Punjab Police three times — on July 24, July 31 and August 7 — seeking registration of an FIR and appropriate criminal action. The party questioned why the Punjab Police did not register an FIR and conduct its own investigation if it believed the allegations or material were false.

The BJP further said that the Punjab Government and Punjab Police had several opportunities to present their position before the High Court during proceedings arising from the PIL. After examining the material placed before it, including ED records, alleged statements and WhatsApp communications, the High Court ordered a CBI investigation.
It was not declaring anyone guilty, including allegations concerning Chief Minister’s OSD Rajveer Singh Ghumman, Nitin Gohal, Beer Davinder or Rajdeep Singh Nagra. It said the allegations mentioned in the court record should be tested through an impartial investigation and that guilt or innocence should be established only through due process, he added.“If the allegations are false, let an investigation prove them false. If there is no evidence, the investigation will establish that too. Why fear an impartial probe?” said Rana Sodhi.

The chronology was clear: Punjab Police investigation, information to ED, ED investigation, recovery of alleged material, three communications to Punjab Police, non-registration of an FIR, PIL proceedings and finally the High Court-ordered CBI probe, he added.

He also urged AAP to answer the central question: “What role did BJP play in the High Court’s decision to order a CBI investigation?”
The corruption allegations should not be settled through political accusations and election rhetoric. “Let the investigation happen, let the facts come out and let the truth be placed before the people of Punjab,” he added.