Chandigarh: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has issued fresh summons to Rajbir Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, in an alleged corruption case involving financial benefits in exchange for influencing the postings of IAS and IPS officers and other official decisions. The development comes after Ghuman failed to appear for questioning as directed by the agency.
According to officials, the CBI issued the fresh summons on Friday after Ghuman reportedly claimed that he had not received the earlier notice. The agency’s teams subsequently pasted the summons at his premises and also sent it by email.
The case concerns allegations that government postings, administrative decisions and other official matters were influenced or manipulated in return for financial benefits. The investigation follows an order from the Punjab and Haryana High Court and a report received from the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
CBI Issues Fresh Summons to Rajbir Ghuman
The CBI had summoned Ghuman and other accused persons on Wednesday, directing them to appear for questioning on Friday. However, officials said Ghuman claimed that he had not received the summons and did not appear before the agency as instructed.
Following his absence, CBI teams took further steps to serve the notice.
The agency’s actions include:
- Pasting the fresh summons at Ghuman’s premises.
- Sending the summons to him by email.
- Seeking his appearance for questioning in connection with the alleged corruption case.
The fresh summons mark a further step in the investigation into allegations involving the manipulation of official postings and administrative decisions for financial gain.
CBI Registers Case on Punjab and Haryana High Court’s Orders
The case was registered on Tuesday following orders from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The investigation was initiated after the CBI received a report from the Enforcement Directorate concerning allegations against Ghuman and his associates.
According to the CBI, the allegations relate to a network of public servants, middlemen and private individuals who allegedly influenced official decisions in exchange for pecuniary benefits.
The investigation aims to examine claims of corruption involving the postings of IAS and IPS officers, as well as other government and administrative matters.
CBI Names Six Persons in Alleged Corruption Case
In a statement, CBI spokesperson Beena Yadav said the agency had registered a case against six named persons, including two public servants, middlemen and associates, along with unknown public servants and private individuals.
The named persons are:
- Rajbir Ghuman, OSD to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
- Nitin Gohal.
- Jitin Gohal, alias Raja.
- Romi Raja Mahajan.
- Bir Devinder.
- R S Nagra.
The agency has also included unknown public servant(s) and private person(s) in the case.
The allegations are under investigation, and the registration of the case does not establish the guilt of any accused person.
Alleged Manipulation of IAS and IPS Postings and Government Decisions
According to the CBI, the alleged corruption network may have influenced or manipulated a range of government decisions in return for financial benefits.
The matters under investigation include:
- IAS and IPS postings: Alleged influence over the appointment and posting of senior administrative and police officers.
- Departmental proceedings: Alleged interference in official proceedings involving government departments.
- Policy formulation: Claims of influence over the preparation and handling of government policies.
- Administrative approvals: Alleged manipulation of decisions requiring official clearance.
- Tender conditions: Claims involving influence over government tender-related matters.
- Licensing matters: Alleged interference in licensing decisions.
- Land use conversion: Matters concerning the conversion of land for different uses.
- Property disputes: Alleged influence over disputes involving property.
- Revenue and land-related issues: Claims involving administrative decisions concerning land and revenue matters.
The CBI is examining whether these matters were influenced in exchange for monetary or other financial benefits.
CBI Alleges Sharing of Draft Orders and Policies Before Official Issuance
Another significant aspect of the case concerns allegations that certain public servants accessed and shared draft government orders and policies with private individuals before their official issuance.
According to the CBI spokesperson, the accused public servants allegedly provided private persons with access to draft documents before the government formally released them.
The agency is examining these allegations alongside the broader claims of influence over postings, administrative approvals, policy decisions and other government matters.
CBI Conducts Searches at Eight Locations Across Punjab and Chandigarh
As part of the investigation, the CBI searched eight locations linked to Ghuman and the other accused persons.
The searches were conducted in:
- Chandigarh
- Mohali
- Gurdaspur
- Ludhiana
- Patiala
- Sangrur
- Jalandhar
The searches form part of the agency’s efforts to investigate the alleged network and examine the claims detailed in the case.
Investigation Continues Into Alleged Corruption and Financial Benefits
The CBI’s fresh summons to Rajbir Ghuman comes amid an investigation into alleged corruption involving the manipulation of government postings and other official decisions for financial gain.
The case, registered on the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s orders following an ED report, covers allegations involving public servants, intermediaries and private individuals.
The agency is examining the alleged exchange of financial benefits for influence over administrative processes, including officer postings, tender conditions, policy formulation and land-related matters. Further developments will depend on the investigation and the evidence gathered by the CBI.
