Mann's OSD Ghuman Moves High Court to Quash CBI FIR, Cites Section 17Aਮਾਨ ਦੇ ਓਐੱਸਡੀ ਘੁੰਮਣ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਸੀਬੀਆਈ ਐੱਫ਼ਆਈਆਰ ਰੱਦ ਕਰਵਾਉਣ ਲਈ ਹਾਈ ਕੋਰਟ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਟੀਸ਼ਨ

Rajbir Singh Ghuman, officer on special duty (OSD) to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, has moved the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking to quash the corruption case the CBI registered against him on October 5, saying the agency acted without the prior approval the law requires. The petition was filed on Thursday and is expected to be heard on Friday.

What does Ghuman argue?

According to reports in the Times of India, NDTV and Hindustan Times, Ghuman says Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act bars any inquiry or investigation into a public servant's official decisions without prior government approval. He says no such proposal was sent to the Punjab government and no approval exists. He cites the Supreme Court's 2020 Yashwant Sinha judgment, arguing that even when a court directs an FIR, the investigation must still meet that requirement.

What is he challenging?

The petition seeks to quash the proceedings, the search of his residence in Sangrur district on October 6, and the search warrant issued by the special CBI court in Chandigarh. Ghuman says the search happened in the absence of him or his family and that only one independent witness was present. He has also alleged that a list was "planted" by the CBI. These are his claims in court and have not been tested.

What is the CBI case?

The CBI registered the FIR hours after the High Court's October 5 order, which was based on three letters from the Enforcement Directorate to the Punjab DGP. The ED alleged that an organised network operated around the chief minister's office. The allegations remain under investigation and none has been proved.

What relief does he want?

Ghuman wants the investigation against him stopped until Section 17A approval is obtained. Alternatively he asks for a direction that no further proceedings be taken without it, and for a bar on coercive steps while the petition is pending.

What happens next?

The High Court is expected to take up the plea on Friday. The Punjab government's own challenge to the High Court's October 5 order is also due before the Supreme Court on Friday.

What is Section 17A?

It is a provision of the Prevention of Corruption Act that requires prior approval before police investigate an alleged offence linked to a public servant's official decision or recommendation.

Has Ghuman been charged?

No. He is named as an accused in a CBI FIR, which is an early stage of investigation, and the allegations are unproven.

When will the High Court hear the plea?

Reports say it is expected on Friday, October 9, though one outlet gave a later date.