Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann Office Corruption Case: Supreme Court To Hear State’s Plea On Monday

The bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Sheel Nagu was hearing the plea filed by the Punjab Government.

Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for the Punjab Government, initially sought some time when the matter came up as Item No. 16 on the day’s cause list.

Justice Datta said the matter would be taken up on Monday, noting that the file had reached the Bench late.

Singh thereafter requested the Bench to consider the matter on Friday, submitting that no precipitate action had been taken in the case so far.

“Can Your Lordships take it up tomorrow? No precipitate action has taken place till now,” Singh submitted.

Justice Datta responded: “When we haven't read the file, how can we?”

“Okay, My Lords,” Singh replied.

The plea arises from the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s direction for the CBI to register a criminal case and probe allegations of corruption connected with the office of the Punjab Chief Minister.

The Supreme Court will now consider the Punjab Government’s challenge to the High Court order on Monday.

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.