Chandigarh: The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe allegations of corruption, interference in transfers and postings, leakage of confidential government information and other irregularities involving state officials.

The court ordered the CBI to register a case and proceed with the investigation after examining material placed before it by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The court observed that the information prima facie indicated the involvement of high public officials in alleged acts of corruption and required a fair and transparent investigation.

The order records that the ED had cited 21 instances allegedly involving interference in the transfers and postings of government officers across different departments. The ED also referred to a series of WhatsApp chats and other material that it said pointed to the alleged involvement of private individual Nitin Gohal in government decisions and dealings.

The allegations remain subject to investigation and have not been established as criminal offences against the individuals concerned.

ED cited 21 transfer-posting instances

According to the material recorded in the High Court order, the ED’s communication referred to 21 instances allegedly involving interference in the transfers and postings of government officials.

The allegations covered officials and departments across the state and raised questions about whether persons outside the formal government structure had exercised influence over administrative decisions.

The ED also relied on 11 WhatsApp chats which, according to its communication, indicated the alleged involvement of Nitin Gohal in matters including policy formulation, amendments to departmental rules, administrative approvals, tender conditions, licensing matters and other government decisions.

The agency claimed that some of the conversations showed Gohal having access to confidential policy proposals, draft administrative decisions and departmental communications that would ordinarily not be available in the public domain.

The High Court examined this material while considering whether the allegations required a formal criminal investigation.

Chats cited over government decisions and licences

The ED referred to several categories of chats as part of the material submitted before the court.

Seven chats were cited in connection with the alleged role of Gohal in procuring arms licences. Six other chats allegedly concerned land transactions, Change of Land Use (CLU) matters, demarcation proceedings, property disputes, housing schemes and other land-related issues.

According to the ED, these conversations indicated access to sensitive information involving land records, revenue matters and government approvals.

The agency also referred to four chats that allegedly indicated unauthorised access to or leakage of confidential government information.

Another 11 chats were cited in relation to alleged payments, kickbacks and other benefits supposedly received in exchange for official favours or work.

The court order records these allegations as part of the material that led it to conclude that a proper investigation was necessary.

ED referred to alleged payments and favours

One of the conversations cited by the ED allegedly involved Director Horticulture Shailendra K, who was quoted in the material as saying, “100 is paid and rest will be given”.

The ED also alleged that properties were purchased using funds collected through favours and corruption.

Another allegation concerned travel arrangements allegedly made by Nitin Gohal for associates Bir Devinder and Rajbir Ghuman.

According to the ED’s communication, Gohal allegedly arranged air tickets and hotel stays for them, with the expenses purportedly being paid by him in cash. The court record states that a ledger supplied by the travel agent was also annexed to the communication.

The allegations raised possible issues under laws including the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Official Secrets Act.

However, the CBI investigation will have to establish whether the alleged transactions and communications constitute offences and whether the persons named in the material were involved in any wrongdoing.

ED communication to Punjab Police became a key issue

The High Court also examined how the Punjab Police handled the material sent by the ED.

According to the court order, the ED attempted to hand over its communication dated July 30, 2026, at the office of the Punjab Director General of Police on July 31.

Although an official received the letter, the ED was not provided a receipt despite requesting one.

The ED subsequently sent a reminder on August 7. The High Court recorded that receipt of both the original communication and the reminder by the Punjab Police was not disputed.

The handling of the material became an important part of the court’s consideration of whether the state police had adequately responded to the allegations.

High Court questions police response

The High Court expressed dissatisfaction with the manner in which the material provided by the ED had been dealt with.

It observed that the information prima facie indicated possible involvement of high public officials in acts of corruption and, at the very least, required registration of an FIR followed by a proper investigation.

The court also took note of the petitioner’s allegation that an attempt was being made to silence the whistleblower.

A demolition action involving the petitioner also came under scrutiny.

According to the court record, a demolition notice had initially been issued in November 2024. However, no action was taken for nearly 20 months before a demolition order was issued shortly after the public-interest litigation was filed.

The court said the timing of the action raised doubts about the intent behind the steps taken by senior state officials against whom the petitioner had levelled corruption allegations based on material shared by the ED.

The observation formed part of the court’s assessment of whether an independent investigation was necessary.

CBI directed to register case

After considering the material placed before it, the High Court concluded that the allegations required a fair and transparent investigation.

The court therefore directed the CBI to take over the matter, register a case and proceed with the investigation forthwith.

The agency has also been directed to submit a report on the outcome of its investigation to the High Court within two months.

The case has been listed for December 7, 2026, when the court is expected to consider the status report.

The CBI probe means that the allegations contained in the ED’s communication will now be examined by a central investigative agency rather than being dealt with solely through the state police machinery.

Punjab Police had flagged discrepancies

The High Court order also records the response submitted by the Punjab Police to the material forwarded by the ED.

The state police said its preliminary analysis and evaluation of the documents and replies had revealed various discrepancies and anomalies in the information and material provided by the ED under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Punjab Police said these discrepancies had been identified and addressed.

The position of the state police therefore differs from the ED’s assessment of the material. While the ED had highlighted the alleged corruption, influence and information leaks, Punjab Police had raised questions about discrepancies in the documents and information forwarded to it.

The CBI investigation will now have to examine both sides of the material and determine the facts.

Punjab government plans Supreme Court challenge

Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema said the state government would challenge the High Court’s decision before the Supreme Court.

Reacting to the order, Cheema referred to Punjab’s withdrawal of general consent for CBI investigations in November 2020 during the previous Congress government.

He said the state government would approach the Supreme Court because the general consent for CBI investigations in Punjab had been withdrawn.

The government’s proposed challenge means the High Court’s order could now come under scrutiny before the Supreme Court. Until any further order from the higher court, the High Court’s direction requires the CBI to register a case and begin its investigation.

CBI probe puts allegations under fresh scrutiny

The High Court’s decision marks a significant development in a case involving allegations of interference in government administration, transfers and postings, confidential information, licensing, land matters and alleged financial benefits.

The court has not itself established the allegations as criminal wrongdoing. Instead, it found that the material before it warranted a formal and independent investigation.

The CBI will now be tasked with examining the ED’s allegations, the WhatsApp communications and other documents, as well as the discrepancies raised by Punjab Police.

With the state government indicating that it intends to challenge the order in the Supreme Court, the legal proceedings are likely to continue alongside the investigation.

For now, the High Court’s direction is that the CBI register a case, investigate the allegations and submit its report within two months, with the matter scheduled to come up again on December 7.