The Supreme Court adjourned the Punjab government's challenge to a High Court order directing the CBI to register a case and probe alleged corruption involving Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s OSD, Rajbir Singh Ghuman, on Thursday. The court will hear the matter on Friday and refused to issue interim relief to stop the CBI’s searches.
The High Court had ordered the CBI to register a criminal case after the Enforcement Directorate flagged alleged influence‑peddling and corruption involving Ghuman and five others. The CBI filed an FIR and conducted searches at eight sites across Punjab and Chandigarh, including the CM’s camp office.
Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, representing the Punjab government, asked the bench to suspend further action until the Supreme Court heard the appeal, arguing that the order was a “precipitative action.” Justice Dipankar Datta declined, noting that Justice Sheel Nagu had not yet examined the case files, and the court needed both judges’ inputs before deciding.
The case comes ahead of the Punjab Assembly elections and follows the Punjab government’s claim that central agencies are being used for political reasons. The Supreme Court’s adjournment means the CBI will continue its investigations, with a hearing set for Friday to decide whether to grant interim protection.