CBI seeks Punjab government files on transfers, CM office appointments, housing projects in corruption probe

Chandigarh, Oct 14 (UNI) The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought original records relating to government transfers, appointments in the Punjab Chief Minister's Office, housing projects, procurement and licensing decisions as it widened its investigation into alleged corruption involving former Chief Ministerial aide Rajbir Singh Ghuman.

In a letter dated October 12 to the Punjab Chief Secretary, the CBI sought files, noting sheets and drafts covering 20 categories of official decisions, including the appointment of Ghuman as Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Chief Minister and Jitin Kumar Goyal, also known as Raja, as Production Manager in the Chief Minister's Office. The agency also sought records concerning changes in distributorships in the Animal Husbandry Department, recruitment of assistant town planners, housing projects in Zirakpur, hospital licence renewals, procurement by Verka and government transfer policies. The investigation, registered as RC 220/2026/E/0013, follows an October 5 order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court directing a CBI probe.

Referring to a subsequent Supreme Court order dated October 12, the agency said the Punjab government had been directed to cooperate with the pending investigation. "The aforesaid files and details are urgently required for investigation," the CBI said in its communication. The agency also sought records concerning applications for arms licences involving nine individuals, including Punjab Khadi and Village Industries Board chairman Gagandeep Singh Ahluwalia and Dr Romi Raja Mahajan. Acting on the communication, Punjab's Personnel Department issued urgent instructions on October 14, directing the concerned departments to make the requested records available by 1 p.m. for onward submission to the investigating agency.

The department also designated IAS officer Gautam Jain, Special Secretary, Personnel, as nodal officer to coordinate with the CBI. The CBI communication said the High Court had directed the agency to submit a report by December 4, making the collection of original government records urgent. The documents indicate that investigators are examining a broad range of administrative decisions, extending beyond transfers and postings to procurement, housing approvals, appointments and licensing matters. The request for records does not, by itself, establish wrongdoing by any individual or department. The allegations remain under investigation.

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