The Supreme Court on Monday directed that no coercive steps be taken in a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case concerning corruption allegations against Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, while refusing to stay the FIR registered in the matter.
A bench comprising Justice MM Sundresh and Justice Prasanna B Varale issued notice on a petition filed by the Punjab government challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court's direction to the CBI to register a criminal case and investigate the allegations.
The court also directed the Punjab government to cooperate with the investigation. The order allows the CBI probe to continue while providing interim protection against coercive action.
Senior advocate Vikas Singh appeared for the Punjab government. Senior advocate Dama Seshadri Naidu, representing the respondent who had filed the public interest litigation (PIL) in the High Court, opposed the state's plea and alleged that the petitioner had faced vindictive action by the state government.
Naidu told the Supreme Court that the respondent's property had been demolished and sought protection against alleged harassment by the state authorities.
The matter came before the bench after Justice Sheel Nagu, who had been sitting with Justice Dipankar Datta, recused himself from hearing the case.
What are the corruption allegations against Mann's aide?
The CBI FIR names Ghuman and five other accused in connection with allegations of corruption and influence-peddling involving officials linked to the Punjab Chief Minister's Office.
The case concerns alleged bribes paid to influence government decisions, including the transfer and posting of officials, the handling of departmental proceedings, policy formulation, administrative approvals, tender conditions, licensing, land-use conversion, property disputes and revenue-related matters.
The allegations suggest that money was offered in exchange for influencing official decisions and securing favourable outcomes in administrative and commercial matters.
The CBI registered the FIR on October 5, 2026, following a direction from the Punjab and Haryana High Court. The agency initiated its investigation after receiving material from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) concerning the alleged activities of Ghuman and his associates.
The FIR forms part of a wider investigation into alleged interference in government functioning and the use of official influence for financial benefits. The allegations have not been established in court.
High Court directed CBI to register a case
The Supreme Court proceedings stem from an October 5 order of a division bench of the Punjab and Haryana High Court comprising Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor.
The High Court directed the CBI to register a criminal case into allegations concerning Ghuman, who serves as OSD to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. It also instructed the Punjab government and the Punjab Police to extend all necessary assistance to the central agency to ensure a fair investigation.
The High Court's order followed allegations concerning people linked to the Chief Minister's Office and material reportedly supplied by the ED. The court directed the CBI to examine the allegations independently rather than leave the matter solely to the state authorities.
The Punjab government subsequently approached the Supreme Court, challenging the High Court's decision to order the registration of an FIR and a CBI investigation.
During Monday's hearing, the Supreme Court issued notice on the state's petition but declined to stay the FIR. Its direction against coercive action provides interim relief while leaving the investigation in place.
CBI searches and allegations of influence-peddling
After registering the case, the CBI conducted searches at eight locations, including Mann's camp office in Chandigarh and premises linked to Ghuman and other individuals.
The investigation centres on allegations that Ghuman and his associates used their proximity to the state administration to influence official postings, tenders, licensing decisions and other government matters in return for financial benefits.
The ED's material reportedly formed the basis for the High Court's intervention and the subsequent CBI investigation. The agency is examining the allegations concerning the alleged manipulation of administrative decisions and the role of individuals linked to the Chief Minister's Office.
Ghuman has challenged the CBI proceedings separately, questioning the legality of the investigation and alleging that the agency's actions were politically motivated. He has also sought relief against the FIR and the searches conducted in connection with the case.
Political dispute over the CBI investigation
The case has triggered a political confrontation between the Aam Aadmi Party-led Punjab government and the BJP.
Mann has accused the BJP of using central investigative agencies to target his government ahead of the next Punjab Assembly elections. He has alleged that the CBI action is politically motivated and forms part of a broader effort to put pressure on the state administration.
The CBI investigation, meanwhile, is based on allegations of corruption and influence-peddling involving the Chief Minister's aide and five other accused. The state government's challenge to the High Court order has brought the dispute before the Supreme Court.
The latest order does not quash the FIR or halt the investigation. Instead, it bars coercive steps while the court considers the Punjab government's challenge and requires the state to cooperate with the CBI.
The proceedings are expected to determine the legal questions raised by the government, while the CBI continues to investigate the allegations against Ghuman and the other accused.