Chandigarh: The Punjab government is examining an Enforcement Directorate (ED) communication seeking registration of an FIR against private person Nitin Gohal and others over alleged interference in government functioning.
Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav has sought inputs from the Bureau of Investigation (BoI) on the allegations made by the federal agency and the legal course available to the state police, according to officials familiar with the matter.
The government is yet to decide whether to seek additional material from the ED, conduct a preliminary examination of the allegations or proceed with registration of an FIR if the material discloses cognisable offences.
ED Seeks Confidential FIR Under PMLA
The ED’s communication was sent to the Punjab DGP under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The agency has sought registration of a “confidential FIR” against Gohal and others based on material it claims to have gathered during its investigation.
The allegations include claims that Gohal acted as an intermediary between individuals seeking government-related favours and Rajbir Ghuman, an Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.
According to the ED, Gohal allegedly helped influence:
- Transfers and postings of government officials
- Government approvals
- Arms licence-related matters
- Policy decisions and departmental rules
- Tender and licensing matters
- Land-use changes and property-related approvals
- Other administrative decisions
The agency has also alleged that confidential government documents and draft orders were shared with individuals before they became publicly available.
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ED Alleges Collection of Proceeds of Crime
According to the ED communication, Gohal allegedly worked with associates including Rajbir Ghuman, Bir Devinder and Jitin Gohal alias Raja to collect alleged proceeds of crime in the form of cash, land and other benefits.
The agency has alleged that the arrangement involved using access and influence within government circles to secure favourable decisions and administrative actions.
The ED described the alleged pattern as a system in which influence and access to government officials were used for obtaining financial benefits.
These allegations are part of the agency’s investigation and have not been established as charges by a court.
Investigation Stems From Real Estate Case
The ED’s letter stems from its investigation under the PMLA in ECIR/ILZO/21/2024, relating to Ajay Sehgal and associates of M/s Indian Cooperative Housing Building Society.
The investigation concerns alleged facilitation of Change of Land Use (CLU) through government authorities for certain real estate companies.
The agency conducted searches at the premises of Gohal, Sehgal, Suresh Kumar Bajaj and others linked to the society between May 7 and May 10.
The ED said it recovered documents and information during the searches.
ED Claims Cash and Digital Evidence Were Recovered
According to the agency, ₹1 crore in cash was seized during the investigation.
It also claimed that a bag containing ₹20 lakh was recovered after allegedly being thrown from a flat in a private society in Kharar owned by Gohal.
The ED further said that examination of WhatsApp chats, call records and documents recovered from Gohal’s electronic devices provided information relevant to its allegations.
The agency cited 21 WhatsApp chats between September 20, 2023, and March 18, 2026, relating to transfers and postings in several departments.
These included matters involving:
- Punjab Police
- Punjab Civil Services
- Food and Civil Supplies
- Markfed
- Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA)
ED Cites Alleged Influence Over Government Decisions
The agency has alleged that Gohal was involved in matters beyond transfers and postings, including policy decisions, amendments to departmental rules, administrative approvals, tender conditions and licensing issues.
The ED cited chats that it said showed access to confidential policy proposals, draft administrative decisions and departmental communications.
Among the matters referred to by the agency were tender conditions and empanelment of manufacturers for the supply of fortified rice kernels, transfers of DSPs and tendering-related matters in Markfed.
Real Estate Transactions Also Under ED Lens
The ED has also alleged that Gohal intervened in property transactions, land-use changes, GMADA approvals, property disputes and other matters involving developers and private individuals.
The agency specifically referred to an alleged transaction involving Plot D-156 in Phase 7, Mohali.
According to the ED, a substantial portion of the consideration for the property was allegedly paid in cash over and above the amount reflected in the sale documents.
The agency also stated that no unearned increase was charged by the Punjab Small Industries and Export Corporation Limited (PSIEC) in relation to the transfer.
ED Cites Travel and Payment Records
The agency has also referred to records from travel agents, alleging that Gohal paid cash for air tickets and hotel stays for Rajbir Ghuman and Bir Devinder.
The ED cited 11 specific chats which it said indicated that Gohal and his associates were involved in receiving monetary consideration, arranging payments, facilitating financial transactions and providing other benefits in connection with government-related matters.
The agency also referred to an alleged hawala transaction involving a note number associated with a person identified as Karan Bhushan.
ED Says Multiple Laws May Apply
Based on the material gathered during its investigation, the ED said the matter warranted examination under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, the Official Secrets Act and other applicable laws.
The agency has also stated that cognisable offences under several provisions of the Indian Penal Code appear to have been committed, including:
- Section 120-B: Criminal conspiracy
- Section 420: Cheating
- Section 467: Forgery of valuable security, will, etc.
- Section 471: Using a forged document or electronic record as genuine
The ED also cited Supreme Court judgments, including Vijay Madanlal Choudhary and Lalita Kumari, in support of its position that information disclosing a cognisable offence requires registration of an FIR.
Punjab Government Weighs Legal Options
The Punjab government is currently examining the ED’s communication before taking a decision.
Officials said possible options include:
- Seeking additional details or supporting material from the ED
- Examining the allegations through the state police
- Assessing whether the material discloses cognisable offences
- Registering an FIR if the legal requirements are met
The final decision is expected to depend on the inputs sought by DGP Gaurav Yadav from the Bureau of Investigation and the subsequent legal examination of the ED reference.
ED Letter Triggers Political Controversy
The ED’s August 11 communication has also triggered a political controversy in Punjab, with opposition parties targeting the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government.
The Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have described the ED letter as evidence of alleged corruption at the highest levels of government and have demanded a CBI probe.
The political dispute comes ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections expected early next year.
The Bhagwant Mann government has acknowledged the receipt of the communication but has described the ED action as part of an alleged BJP strategy to use central agencies against the state government.
Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Cheema has accused the BJP-led Union government of using agencies such as the ED, CBI and Income Tax Department to target opposition leaders and elected state governments.
Nitin Gohal Rejects ED Allegations
Nitin Gohal has rejected the allegations made by the ED, describing them as “false propaganda” intended to implicate Rajbir Ghuman.
Gohal said Ghuman was his old friend and that he had assisted him in his office as OSD to the Chief Minister in a personal-assistant capacity.
He alleged that the ED was distorting administrative chats and said the agency had failed to establish his role in any fraud.
Gohal also rejected the ED’s claim concerning the cash bag allegedly thrown from his Kharar flat. He said ED officials had told him during questioning that the bag did not belong to him.
On the alleged hawala transaction, Gohal said the chat referred to a conversation with a friend concerning game codes.
Rajbir Ghuman could not be immediately reached for his response to the ED’s letter.
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