After High Court order, CBI registers corruption case in connection to Punjab CM Mann’s office

Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann. File | Photo Credit: ANI A day after the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe corruption allegations linked to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s office, the CBI on Tuesday (October 6, 2026) registered a case involving an officer on special duty (OSD) to the Punjab CM and other senior officers in the State government.A CBI official confirmed the development, adding that the CBI conducted searches at multiple locations, including Chief Minister Mann’s camp office in Chandigarh.Mr. Mann, meanwhile, alleged that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has started preparations for the Punjab elections.In a post on ‘X’, Mr. Mann said that the CBI has conducted a raid at his camp office and alleged that the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) will be misused in Punjab in the run-up to 2027 Assembly polls.“A CBI raid was conducted at my camp office... Now, the ED and CBI will be misused in Punjab... in order to defame the Punjab government and me... The BJP is rattled by the love being received from the people,” Mr. Mann said.Reacting sharply to Mr. Mann’s remark, former BJP Punjab president Sunil Jakhar said “...The CBI has not been sent by the Government of India, it has been ordered by the Hon’ble High Court to investigate this loot of Punjab under your watch.”On Monday (October 5, 2026) the High Court, while pronouncing its order, stated that the allegations raised by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against public servants and private individuals, linked to the AAP government, including an OSD to the Chief Minister, include corruption in transfers and postings, policy manipulation, cash for tenders and other such serious irregularities.The Bench noted that after a cumulative assessment of the material placed on record in the petition, the court is of the considered view that a fair and transparent investigation is required to be carried out in the matter.Taking jibe at the AAP, referring to the raid at CM’s ‘camp office’, the Leader of the Opposition in Punjab Assembly Partap Singh Bajwa said, “The irony is hard to miss: the place that symbolised Delhi’s remote control over Punjab is now under the CBI scanner.” Published - October 06, 2026 08:08 pm IST