CBI Probe Fallout: Mann's OSD Skips Summons, Sangrur SHO Suspended Over Flower Welcomeਸੀਬੀਆਈ ਜਾਂਚ: ਮਾਨ ਦੇ ਓਐਸਡੀ ਘੁੱਮਣ ਤਲਬੀ 'ਤੇ ਹਾਜ਼ਰ ਨਹੀਂ, ਫੁੱਲਾਂ ਨਾਲ ਸਵਾਗਤ ਮਗਰੋਂ ਸੰਗਰੂਰ ਐਸਐਸਚਓ ਮੁਅੱਤਲ

The Central Bureau of Investigation's corruption probe into the Punjab Chief Minister's office produced fresh drama on Wednesday, as the CM's officer on special duty failed to appear before the agency and the Sangrur police suspended a station house officer after villagers welcomed a CBI team with flowers.

Guman skips CBI questioning

The CBI had asked Rajbir Singh Guman, the officer on special duty (OSD) to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, to appear at its Chandigarh office at 2:30 pm on Wednesday in connection with the corruption case in which a 251-page FIR has been registered against him and five others. Guman did not turn up. The development came a day after the agency searched eight locations across Punjab and Chandigarh, including the chief minister's camp office. The Punjab government, meanwhile, is set to seek an urgent hearing in the Supreme Court against the Punjab and Haryana High Court's order directing the CBI probe.

Flowers for the CBI, suspension for the SHO

In a bizarre turn in Sangrur district, residents of Gharachon village reportedly welcomed a visiting CBI team with flowers and distributed sweets. The Sangrur police have suspended the area's station house officer and detained two persons in connection with the episode, which unfolded while the agency's teams were in the state for the corruption probe.

Mann cries vendetta, AAP announces protests

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann hit back on Wednesday, saying the CBI raids were part of the BJP's "way of working" ahead of elections and claiming the agency found nothing incriminating. "The CBI came and returned empty-handed," Mann said, accusing the BJP of misusing central agencies against opposition-ruled states. The Aam Aadmi Party has announced protests across Punjab on Wednesday against what it calls the misuse of the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI.

What the case is about

The CBI registered the case on Tuesday following orders of the Punjab and Haryana High Court, after the Enforcement Directorate wrote three letters to the Punjab DGP alleging that Guman and his associates — including alleged middlemen Nitin Gohal and Bir Devinder — interfered in administrative transfers and postings, government tenders, arms licences and land-use matters. The agency alleges a "cash for postings and favourable tenders" racket. Six people have been booked, including two public servants, and the agency has been asked to file a status report within two months.

What is the CBI case against the Punjab CM's office about?

The CBI is probing alleged corruption involving CM Bhagwant Mann's OSD Rajbir Singh Guman and associates, accused of influencing transfers, postings and tenders for money, following ED letters to the Punjab DGP and a High Court order.

Why was the Sangrur SHO suspended?

The SHO was suspended after residents of Gharachon village welcomed a visiting CBI team with flowers and distributed sweets; two persons were also detained.

What happens next in the case?

The CBI continues its investigation with a status report due in two months, while the Punjab government plans to seek an urgent Supreme Court hearing challenging the High Court's probe order.