The CBI searched eight locations in Punjab and Chandigarh on Tuesday, 6 October 2026. One was the Chief Minister’s camp office in Sector 2, Chandigarh. The agency is probing corruption claims against Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann. The case matters because it reaches the state’s top office before the assembly elections.
An OSD is an officer appointed to assist a senior official. Here, the officer works for the Chief Minister.
What did the CBI do during the Punjab raids?
The CBI first registered an FIR. Teams then searched eight sites. These included the camp office and Ghuman’s home in Gharachon village. A relative’s house in Phase 11, Mohali, was also searched.
The agency says it seized laptops, mobile phones and documents. Officers are now examining them. They are looking for evidence of bribery and other alleged improprieties.
Why did the High Court order a CBI probe?
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) wrote three letters to the Punjab DGP. It alleged that a private person, Nitin Gohal, acted as an intermediary between people seeking favours and Ghuman. The ED shared its information with Punjab Police on 3 August.
Advocate Nikhil Saraf then filed a public interest petition. A bench of Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor heard it. The bench found that the state had held only a preliminary inquiry.
“This is not the response of the Punjab Police,” the Punjab and Haryana High Court observed in its 5 October order, as reported by Bar and Bench. The Court asked the CBI to report within two months. It also told Punjab to cooperate.
No court has found anyone guilty. The allegations remain untested.
Who are the six accused named in the CBI FIR?
- Rajbir Singh Ghuman
- Nitin Gohal
- Jitin Gohal, alias Raja
- Romi Raja Mahajan
- Bir Devinder
- RS Nagra
How have parties reacted to the CBI raids in Punjab?
Bhagwant Mann, Punjab Chief Minister, spoke in Dhuri on 7 October. “From yesterday’s raid, it shows they (BJP) are rattled,” he said. He also claimed the agency found nothing incriminating. The CBI has not confirmed that claim.
Arvind Kejriwal, AAP national convener, posted on X on 6 October. He called the raid the “result of the BJP’s frustration.”
Kewal Singh Dhillon, Punjab BJP president, welcomed the High Court decision. His party denies any political motive. It says the probe follows a court order.
Where does the CBI probe stand now?
Punjab has asked the Supreme Court for an urgent hearing. A bench led by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant agreed to consider the plea on Wednesday or Thursday. The outcome has not been confirmed in the reports reviewed.
Ghuman did not appear before the CBI on 7 October. The Chief Minister’s office said he never received the summons. The agency is awaiting the Supreme Court’s directions.
There is one more development in Sangrur. Police suspended an SHO and detained two people. Some Gharachon residents had reportedly welcomed the CBI team with flowers.