Mann's OSD Rajbir Ghuman Appears Before CBI in Chandigarhਮਾਨ ਦੇ ਓਐੱਸਡੀ ਰਾਜਬੀਰ ਘੁੰਮਣ ਚੰਡੀਗੜ੍ਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਸੀਬੀਆਈ ਅੱਗੇ ਪੇਸ਼

Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, appeared before the Central Bureau of Investigation at its Sector 30 office in Chandigarh at 3 pm on Friday, October 16. It is his first appearance since the agency registered a corruption and influence-peddling case against him on October 5. He had not responded to earlier notices, and the Supreme Court has barred coercive action against the accused for now. The allegations are unproven.

Why did Ghuman appear now?

The Tribune and the New Indian Express report that the CBI had issued him three notices, one of them pasted on the gate of his house in Gharachon village in Sangrur district. His lawyer, GPS Ghuman, said he came to comply with the Supreme Court's direction to join the investigation. The lawyer also argued that notices to Ghuman and the other accused were now being sent over WhatsApp, which he called legally untenable, but said the team decided that everyone should join the probe regardless. He said more than five people, including Mansa AAP leader Chuspinder Chahal, had answered investigators' questions on Thursday.

What is the case about?

The CBI registered the case after an October 5 order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court directing a probe into allegations first raised by the Enforcement Directorate in letters to the Punjab DGP. The 251-page FIR names six accused: Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Nitin Gohal, Jitin Gohal alias Raja, Romi Raja Mahajan, Bir Devinder and rice sheller owner Rajdeep Singh Nagra, along with unidentified public servants and private persons. According to the FIR, the allegations concern money allegedly exchanged for postings of IAS and IPS officers, departmental proceedings, policy decisions, approvals, tender conditions, licences, land-use changes and property or revenue disputes between 2023 and 2026. None of this has been proved in court.

What has the Supreme Court said?

On October 12 the Supreme Court declined to stay the FIR but directed that no coercive action be taken against the accused at this stage. It issued notice on the Punjab government's plea against the High Court order and told the state to cooperate with the investigation. The New Indian Express reported that the Enforcement Directorate registered its own case against Ghuman the next day.

How wide is the CBI probe?

The Hindustan Times reported on Friday that the agency has sought government records on postings, projects, recruitments and arms licence applications, including the file on Ghuman's appointment as OSD. Chief Minister Mann had said earlier that his OSD was ready to join the investigation if summoned through the proper channel.

What happens next?

Ghuman was still inside the CBI office when the Tribune filed its report, and officials have not said what he was asked. The Supreme Court will hear the Punjab government's challenge to the High Court order, and the CBI is expected to continue questioning the other named accused.

Has Rajbir Singh Ghuman been arrested?

No. The Supreme Court has said no coercive action should be taken against the accused at this stage, and he appeared on Friday after that order.

Who is Rajbir Singh Ghuman?

He is the Officer on Special Duty to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and a native of Gharachon village in Sangrur district, according to the Tribune.

Which court ordered the CBI probe?

The Punjab and Haryana High Court, in an order dated October 5, 2026. The Supreme Court has since declined to stay the FIR.