Chandigarh, October 6 (Daily Kiran) : Political tensions have escalated in Punjab following the Central Bureau of Investigation’s (CBI) filing of a First Information Report (FIR) against Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s Officer on Special Duty (OSD) and several others. The investigation has drawn sharp criticism from Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leaders, who claim the central government did not initiate the CBI’s involvement.
BJP General Secretary Tarun Chugh took to social media to clarify that the CBI’s actions were based on directives from the Punjab and Haryana High Court, not a mandate from the central government. He stated, “The facts are clear. The CBI was not sent by the Government of India to Punjab. The High Court directed the CBI to register the case and investigate the allegations based on evidence presented by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).”
Chugh outlined the nature of the allegations under investigation, which include manipulation of IAS and IPS postings, departmental proceedings, policy decisions, tender conditions, licenses, land use change approvals, property disputes, and interference in revenue department matters. He emphasized the need for the judicial process to take its course, asserting that if the allegations are baseless, the investigation will reveal that. “Punjab deserves transparency, facts, and accountability. Let the evidence speak for itself,” he added.
In a more pointed attack, BJP leader and Union Minister Ravneet Singh Bittu criticized Mann’s government, stating that the reality of the Chief Minister’s self-proclaimed image as an “honest CM” has been exposed. Following direct orders from the High Court and the ED’s findings, the CBI has launched simultaneous raids at eight locations related to Mann’s OSD and five others.
Bittu accused the Mann administration of concealing significant institutional corruption behind the façade of honesty, alleging serious misconduct such as rigging IAS and IPS transfers, manipulating government tenders, and leaking confidential policy drafts for personal gain.
He further remarked, “Honesty was merely limited to advertisements, while power was openly misused behind closed doors. This impartial investigation under judicial scrutiny will ensure that the truth comes out, and those who deceive the people of Punjab face severe legal consequences.”
In response to the CBI’s actions, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) labeled it a politically motivated move by the central government. BJP leaders have countered this claim by referencing the High Court’s orders and the ED’s reports, clarifying the rationale behind the CBI’s involvement.
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