CNN Central News & Network-ITDC India Epress/ITDC News Bhopal: CBI seeks files from 15 Punjab government departments, intensifies probe
Chandigarh. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought original government records and key files from 15 important departments of the Punjab government led by Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The action is being taken as part of an investigation into alleged corruption linked to the appointment and transfer of officials, government policies, contracts and other administrative decisions. The state government’s Department of Personnel has directed the departments concerned to provide the required documents.
Probe intensified after High Court order
The investigation began after directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The CBI registered an FIR in the matter on October 5, 2026. The investigating agency has written to the Chief Secretary of Punjab, seeking original files, notes, drafts and official correspondence related to various departments. The agency has to submit its investigation report by December 4, 2026. Keeping this deadline in view, the process of collecting government records has been accelerated.
Which departments have been asked for documents?
The CBI has sought records from a total of 15 departments, including Home, Revenue, Food and Civil Supplies, Health and Family Welfare, Local Government, Housing and Urban Development, and Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development. Apart from appointments and transfers of officials, the investigation also covers files related to government contracts, recruitment processes, purchase-related decisions and various policy matters.
Documents related to the process of changing distributors during 2023-24 in the Animal Husbandry and Dairy Development Department have also been sought. In addition, records linked to residential projects, licence-related decisions and certain procurement processes of government institutions are to be examined.
Appointments of officials linked to the Chief Minister’s Office also under scrutiny
The investigating agency has also called for documents related to appointments and transfers in the Chief Minister’s Office. These include appointment and transfer orders related to Rajbir Singh Ghumman, former Officer on Special Duty to the Chief Minister, and Jitin Kumar Gohal alias Raja, who worked in the Chief Minister’s Office. Allegations involving some other individuals and government decisions are also being examined in the case. However, the inclusion of any person or department’s name in the investigation does not by itself prove any offence. The allegations will be verified only on the basis of the investigation and available evidence.
Nodal officer appointed to collect records
The Punjab government’s Department of Personnel has directed the departments concerned to provide the required records at the earliest. Special Secretary Gautam Jain has been assigned responsibility for coordinating the compilation of documents and forwarding them to the investigating agency. The arrangement is aimed at maintaining coordination among different departments and preventing delays in providing records.
Focus on further investigation
The CBI’s action is part of its examination of allegations that government appointments, transfers, contracts and policy decisions were allegedly influenced. The agency will now examine the links in the allegations on the basis of the relevant documents and official records.
The final findings in the case will emerge only after the investigation is completed and the related legal process is followed. For now, after records were sought from 15 departments of the Punjab government, the investigation has reached an important stage.
Hashtags: #NationalIndia #Bhopal #Chandigarh #PunjabGovernment #CBIProbe #BhagwantMann #PunjabAndHaryanaHigh #GovernmentDepartments #CorruptionAllegations #CBISeeksFilesFrom
