Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann OSD Corruption Case: Supreme Court Refuses To Stay CBI FIR

The Supreme Court today has issued notice in the Punjab Government’s plea challenging a Punjab and Haryana High Court order directing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register a criminal case and investigate allegations of corruption linked to the office of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

A bench of Justices MM Sundresh and PB Varale refused to stay the FIR registered by CBI after the agency conducted searches at eight locations, including the camp office of Punjab chief minister Bhagwant Mann and the residence of his Officer on Special Duty (OSD), Rajbir Singh Ghuman, in Chandigarh, as part of a corruption probe.

The FIR names Ghuman, OSD to Mann, Nitin Gohal, Jitin Gohal alias Raja, Romi Raja Mahajan, Bir Devinder and RS Nagra, and unknown public servant(s) and private person(s).

Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for Punjab government pressed for a stay on the FIR

"We will not stay FIR. No coercive steps may be taken," the court said in response.

Last week, Justice Sheel Nagu had recused from hearing the Punjab Government’s appeal. While recusing, the bench led by Justice Dipankar Datta directed that the matter be listed “NOT before Justice Nagu.”

While no proper reason was given for the recusal, it is to be noted that Justice Sheel Nagu, before being elevated to the Supreme Court was the Chief Justice of Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Punjab Government had approached the Supreme Court on October 6, challenging a Punjab and Haryana High Court order directing a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) into allegations of corruption allegedly linked to the office of the Punjab Chief Minister.

The State has questioned the High Court's decision to entrust the investigation to the central agency and has sought relief from the Supreme Court against the direction. The matter arises from allegations concerning alleged corrupt practices and the purported involvement of persons connected with the Chief Minister's Office.

The allegations had prompted proceedings before the High Court, which ultimately directed the CBI to examine the matter. The Punjab Government has now challenged that direction before the apex court, arguing that the High Court ought not to have transferred the matter to the CBI without sufficient justification for entrusting the investigation to an independent central agency.

The allegations are linked to the office of the incumbent Chief Minister, making the High Court's direction for a central agency investigation particularly consequential for the State government. The Punjab Government has therefore sought the Supreme Court's consideration of the legality and propriety of the High Court's order and urged the apex court to grant appropriate relief against the CBI probe.

Case Title: State of Punjab v. Nikhil Saraf

Bench: Justices Sundresh and Varale

Hearing Date: October 12, 2026