Chandigarh: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has written to Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav, seeking registration of an FIR based on its investigation into alleged “wheeling-dealing” and interference in the functioning of several Punjab government departments.
In a letter dated August 11, 2026, the central agency flagged alleged attempts to influence transfers and postings, tendering processes, policy decisions, licensing matters and other government functions, according to a report by The Indian Express.
The ED has specifically referred to an IAS officer allegedly being involved in influencing the tendering process of the Punjab State Co-op Supply & Marketing Federation Ltd (MARKFED).
The communication also mentions another woman IAS officer in connection with an alleged attempt to secure a preferred posting and an IPS officer serving as a Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in connection with the alleged fast-tracking of an arms licence.
Private Individual Allegedly Acted as Intermediary
The ED’s letter contains several sections detailing the alleged role of a private individual identified as Nitin Gohal, whom investigating agencies have earlier identified as the founder and CEO of Mohali-based Fortec Web Solutions Pvt Ltd and Techlive Solutions.
According to the ED, WhatsApp chats, call records, documents and other communications recovered from the devices of an alleged middleman during raids conducted in Mohali from May 7 to 10, 2026, indicate Gohal’s alleged involvement in matters relating to transfers and postings across various government departments.
The agency has alleged that Gohal was acting as an intermediary between interested officials and an official in the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office.
The records allegedly show discussions about proposed transfers, preferred postings, movement of officers and departmental adjustments, besides the sharing of confidential information relating to transfers before such details became public.
Gohal had earlier denied wrongdoing. Speaking to The Indian Express, he had questioned whether communicating with people or recommending transfers amounted to a crime, while stating that accepting money for getting transfers done would constitute wrongdoing.
IAS Officer’s Name Mentioned in MARKFED Tendering Matter
Under a section titled “policy to be influenced”, the ED letter refers to “Tendering in Markfed”.
The agency has cited a January 21, 2026 chat in which a person is allegedly described as trying to secure the appointment of another woman IAS officer, with an alleged plan to influence or “sabotage” the ongoing MARKFED tendering process and future schemes.
According to the ED, the investigation has uncovered communications indicating attempts to influence government processes through intermediaries.
The agency has also alleged that the communications point towards access to confidential policy proposals, draft administrative decisions and departmental communications that ordinarily would not be available in the public domain.
Alleged Attempt to Influence Woman IAS Officer’s Posting
The ED communication also refers to chats concerning the posting of a woman IAS officer.
In a January 1, 2026 chat, the intermediary was allegedly asked to consider posting the woman officer in place of another IAS officer serving in the Women and Child Development Department.
Another message dated January 21, 2026 allegedly sought the same officer’s posting in the department after the incumbent officer had proceeded for training following promotion.
The message also allegedly suggested that the additional charges held by the officer who had gone for training should be given to the favoured woman IAS officer.
IPS Officer Mentioned Over Arms Licence
An IPS officer currently posted as an SSP also finds mention in the ED’s letter.
According to the agency, in a chat dated March 9, 2026, Gohal allegedly shared an application for an arms licence submitted by a person known to him with the IPS officer, with the apparent objective of getting the matter fast-tracked.
The ED has included this communication among several instances that it says require investigation.
Alleged Attempts to Influence PPSC Interview
The ED’s investigation has also flagged an alleged attempt to influence an interview conducted by the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC).
A message dated December 28, 2024 was shared by the agency under the heading “PPSC interview influenced”.
According to the ED, the message concerned a candidate whose interview for selection as an Assistant Town Plannerwas pending.
The agency has cited this communication as part of a broader pattern in which government and recruitment-related processes were allegedly sought to be influenced through intermediaries.
Transfer Lists of DSPs and PCS Officers Allegedly Shared
The ED has also referred to alleged sharing of confidential transfer-related information.
According to the letter, a list of DSPs proposed to be transferred was shared between intermediaries on January 29, 2026.
Similarly, a list of PCS officers proposed to be transferred was allegedly shared on February 28, 2026.
The agency says such communications indicate access to confidential information concerning government transfers before the details entered the public domain.
Food and Civil Supplies Department Also Under Scanner
Several chats allegedly relate to the Department of Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs and proposed changes to policies that could allegedly benefit particular parties.
The communications reportedly referred to transportation and cartage policies, besides alleged attempts to change tender conditions.
One area mentioned concerns tenders for the supply of fortified rice kernels (FRKs) containing three micronutrients — iron, folic acid and vitamin B12 — packed in 25-kg bags.
The ED has alleged that policy changes were being discussed with the intention of facilitating the re-allotment of tenders to certain parties.
Other Alleged Requests for Transfers and Postings
The ED letter also refers to several other chats concerning government officers and postings.
These allegedly include a 2016-batch PPS officer seeking appointment as SP (City), Mohali, and an officer seeking the additional charge of Municipal Commissioner, Mohali, after the post of Superintendent Engineer in the Mohali Municipal Corporation fell vacant.
A 2022-batch PCS officer was allegedly sought to be posted as Chief Manager (Personnel), MARKFED.
Another communication allegedly concerned an SDM being transferred to Abohar and a request for the officer to instead be posted as Director, School Education (Secondary), Punjab, as well as Secretary, Punjab School Education Board, SAS Nagar, against vacant posts.
The ED has also referred to an alleged demand for the suspension of a Jail Superintendent and initiation of chargesheets against the officer.
Alleged Payments for Government Clearances
The agency’s letter also mentions communications relating to alleged payments for government-related clearances.
On April 1, 2026, a prominent private university in Mohali allegedly sought clearance from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB).
The chat reportedly contained a message indicating that payment had been made and that quick processing was sought.
Another communication allegedly concerned an officer of the Horticulture Department, with a reference to an alleged payment of “100” and an indication that the remaining amount would subsequently be given.
These communications have been cited by the ED as part of the wider allegations concerning monetary and other benefits allegedly linked to government decisions.
ED Flags Possible Offences Under Anti-Corruption and Other Laws
In its communication to the Punjab DGP, the ED has said that the matter warrants examination under provisions of the Official Secrets Act and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The agency has specifically referred to Sections 7, 8 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, wherever public servants or intermediaries are found to have demanded, accepted, facilitated or arranged illegal gratification in connection with transfers and postings.
The letter also refers to alleged offences under Sections 120B, 420, 467 and 471 of the Indian Penal Code, 1860, and says the information is being shared under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The allegations remain subject to investigation and any further action by the competent authorities.
Punjab Government Yet to Take Action
As of the latest information, no action has been taken by the Punjab government on the ED’s letter, and there has been no official reaction to the allegations.
Official sources said the state government is seeking legal opinion on how to proceed with the communication received from the ED.
The ED’s request for registration of an FIR now puts the matter before the Punjab Police and state authorities, who will have to examine the allegations and material referred to by the central agency.
What the ED Investigation Covers
The allegations flagged in the letter extend beyond a single department or officer. The agency has referred to alleged interference involving transfers and postings, MARKFED tendering, food and civil supplies policies, recruitment interviews, arms licensing, pollution control clearances, municipal administration and other government decisions.
At the centre of the allegations is the purported role of private intermediaries in facilitating access to government officials and influencing administrative decisions.
The ED has sought an FIR so that the alleged activities and the role of the individuals concerned can be investigated under the relevant laws. No guilt has been established against any of the officers or individuals named or referred to in the allegations at this stage.
Read also: Punjab Govt Transfers 12 IPS Officers; V Neeraja Gets Special DGP, NRI Charge
