Punjab Govt to Move Supreme Court Against CBI Probe Orderਸੀਬੀਆਈ ਜਾਂਚ ਦੇ ਹੁਕਮ ਖ਼ਿਲਾਫ਼ ਸੁਪਰੀਮ ਕੋਰਟ ਜਾਵੇਗੀ ਪੰਜਾਬ ਸਰਕਾਰ

Cheema announces Supreme Court challenge

The Punjab government will approach the Supreme Court to challenge the Punjab and Haryana High Court's order directing the Central Bureau of Investigation to probe the Enforcement Directorate's corruption allegations linked to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's office. Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema announced the decision on Monday, hours after the High Court order and a meeting of the state cabinet in Chandigarh, saying the government would file an appeal against the ruling.

The move sets up a direct legal confrontation between the Aam Aadmi Party government and the central probe agency, adding another front to the running standoff between the Mann government and central investigative agencies.

What the High Court ordered

On October 5, the High Court directed the CBI to register a case and investigate the allegations raised in three letters the Enforcement Directorate had sent to the Punjab Director General of Police. The letters, dated July 24, July 31 and August 7, 2026, sought the registration of an FIR against Rajbir Singh Ghumman, officer on special duty to the chief minister, and certain other individuals over alleged corruption in transfers and postings, government tenders, change-of-land-use approvals and arms licences.

The court acted on a public interest litigation filed by advocate Nikhil Saraf after the Punjab Police failed to register a case on the ED's communications. The High Court directed the CBI to submit its investigation report within two months and asked the Punjab Police to assist with documents.

Why the government is challenging it

Cheema pointed to Punjab's 2020 withdrawal of general consent for CBI investigations within the state, arguing that the central agency cannot take up cases in Punjab without the state government's permission. The AAP government has maintained that the ED's allegations are politically motivated.

The same court hearing also flagged that Punjab has not had a regular Director General of Police for more than four years — a separate direction the High Court issued on appointing a regular DGP.

Opposition seizes on the order

Punjab Congress president Pargat Singh alleged systemic corruption in the state administration following the High Court's order. Speaking to ANI, he called the AAP a "sham" and warned officials against aligning with the government, saying even the chief minister's office had come under the Enforcement Directorate's scanner.

The BJP has also targeted the Mann government over the probe order, with party spokesperson Sambit Patra earlier demanding accountability from the chief minister's office.

Why is the Punjab government going to the Supreme Court?

The state government says the High Court's order directing a CBI probe ignores Punjab's 2020 withdrawal of general consent for CBI investigations, and it will file an appeal challenging the ruling.

What are the ED's allegations about?

The Enforcement Directorate alleged corruption involving the chief minister's office — including irregularities in transfers and postings, tenders, land-use approvals and arms licences — and wrote three letters to the Punjab DGP seeking an FIR.

Who is Rajbir Singh Ghumman?

Rajbir Singh Ghumman is the officer on special duty to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, named in the ED's letters as one of the individuals against whom an FIR was sought.

What happens next?

The CBI has been directed to register a case and submit its report within two months, while the Punjab government prepares its appeal before the Supreme Court.