CBI Files FIR Against Punjab CM's OSD and 5 Others
CBI registers FIR against Punjab CM's OSD and associates for corruption following High Court orders; raids conducted at 8 locations.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has officially registered a First Information Report (FIR) against the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Punjab Chief Minister and five others, following specific directions from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The investigation, triggered by a report from the Enforcement Directorate, targets a massive corruption network involving the manipulation of administrative processes for personal gain.
Allegations of Massive Administrative Manipulation
The corruption allegations against the accused are wide-ranging, involving the misuse of official power to influence critical government functions. According to the agency, the accused are alleged to have manipulated the postings of high-ranking officials, including IAS and IPS officers, to serve their interests.
Beyond personnel management, the investigation covers several key areas of governance, including:
- Departmental Proceedings: Interference in official disciplinary actions.
- Policy and Administration: Manipulation of policy formulation and administrative approvals.
- Tenders and Licensing: Altering tender conditions and licensing matters for pecuniary benefits.
- Land and Revenue: Interference in land use conversion matters, property disputes, and revenue-related issues.
In a particularly serious charge, the CBI alleges that these public servants provided drafts of government orders and policies to private individuals before they were officially issued, allowing unauthorized parties to gain an unfair advantage.
Coordinated Raids Across Punjab and Chandigarh
The investigation has already moved into the evidence-gathering phase. Following the registration of the FIR, the CBI launched extensive, coordinated searches at eight different locations across multiple regions, including Chandigarh, Mohali, Gurdaspur, Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur, and Jalandhar.
During these raids, investigators seized a variety of incriminating evidence, including:
- Laptops
- Mobile phones
- Various incriminating documents
These seized items are currently being scrutinized by the agency to uncover definitive evidence of bribery and administrative impropriety.
The Accused Parties
The CBI has booked six individuals in this case, including two public servants, middlemen, and various associates. The named individuals include:
- Rajbir Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister, Punjab
- Nitin Gohal
- Jitin Gohal (alias Raja)
- Romi Raja Mahajan
- Bir Devinder
- RS Nagra
The agency also noted that "unknown public servant(s) and private person(s)" may be involved in the ongoing investigation.
Ongoing Investigation
The CBI has stated that the investigation is currently in progress as they continue to piece together the scale of the alleged corruption network and identify any further participants in the scheme.