Punjab CM Office-Linked Corruption Case: High Court Reserves Verdict After ED, State Arguments

September 15, 2026

Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday reserved its verdict in a corruption case linked to the Chief Minister’s Office after hearing arguments from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Punjab government for around two and a half hours.

The hearing centred on a letter sent by the ED to Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav seeking registration of a criminal case over alleged interference in government functioning and administrative matters.

During the proceedings, the Punjab government initially questioned the maintainability of the petition and later sought three weeks’ time to file its response. The government told the court that necessary action would be taken in accordance with law during this period and that a report would subsequently be submitted to the High Court.

After hearing both sides, the court reserved its verdict. It also said that if either party had any additional facts or arguments, they could submit them in writing on Monday.

ED Says Material Was Sent To DGP Office In July

A key issue during the hearing was the alleged delay in taking action following raids and arrests conducted by the ED in May.

The Punjab government raised the issue of a delay in receiving the material required for further action. The ED, however, disputed this claim, telling the court that relevant documents and investigation-related material had been emailed to the Punjab DGP’s office as early as July.

The agency further stated that the material was subsequently delivered by hand to the DGP’s office as well. The ED maintained that despite the material being made available, the Punjab Police had not registered an FIR or taken action in the matter.

The ED questioned how further legal action could proceed without an FIR being registered.

The High Court also questioned the delay in taking action after the raids and arrests in May, asking why the matter had taken so long to move forward.

ED Seeks FIR Against CM’s OSD And Associates

The matter came to light after the ED sent a letter to Punjab DGP Gaurav Yadav seeking registration of a criminal case against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s OSD Rajbir Singh Ghumman and his associates Nitin Goyal and Bir Davinder.

According to the ED’s allegations, the individuals allegedly interfered in several matters, including the transfer and posting of administrative officials, government operations and the tendering process.

During its investigation, the agency has claimed to have found material indicating alleged interference in the posting of government officials, access to confidential documents and processes related to government approvals.

The ED had asked the DGP to register an FIR and initiate legal action based on the material gathered during its investigation.

PIL Seeks CBI Probe And Investigation Into Money Trail

A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed before the High Court has sought that the investigation be handed over to the CBI instead of the Punjab Police or the Vigilance Bureau.

The petitioner has argued that, given the seriousness of the allegations, the matter should be investigated by an agency independent of any potential interference by the state government.

The petition also seeks an independent investigation into the allegations raised by the ED and appropriate legal action against those found responsible on the basis of facts established during the probe.

It further calls for a detailed investigation into alleged financial transactions and the money trail, including tracing the source and ultimate beneficiary of funds.

The petitioner has also sought an investigation into individuals allegedly involved in interference with administrative decisions, appointments and postings of officials, government functioning and the tendering process.

The allegations concerning attempts to influence government postings, access confidential documents and interfere in tenders and approvals remain allegations at this stage and can be established only through the investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings.