Politics
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ED asks Punjab police to act on Mann aide letter
NDTV··20 Aug
The Enforcement Directorate wrote to Punjab's DGP seeking action against officials linked to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's office, including OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman. Mann said his government would not act against officials merely on a Central agency demand. He alleged the Centre was using the ED and CBI against Opposition-ruled states. The letter has become a Centre-state dispute.
Prism
What It Means For You
- If you work in Punjab's transfer-and-posting chain, the ED has asked state police to examine alleged influence over IAS, IPS and lower posts, including through the Chief Minister's Office.
- Anyone waiting on an FIR can note Punjab Police is still examining whether the material discloses a cognisable offence, or whether more documents should be sought.
- If you follow Centre-state probes, Mann has said he will not move against his aides only because a central agency demanded it.
What's Happening
- ED sent a reminder to DGP Gaurav Yadav after the 24 July letter seeking a criminal case under Section 66(2) of the PMLA.
- The named private associates are Nitin Gohal and Bir Devinder, described by ED sources as childhood friends of OSD Rajbir Singh Ghuman.
- Mann publicly rejected the allegations and said central agencies were being used against political opponents before elections.
What The July Letter Is Said To Contain
- News18 reported the letter discusses WhatsApp chats in which draft transfer lists circulated before official publication, and names including Jitin Gohal, Dr Romi Raja Mahajan and Pritpal Singh Dhindsa.
- The Punjab Human Rights Organisation on 17 August also asked for an FIR citing ECIR No. JLZO/21/2024 and named the chief secretary among others.
- The state can seek more material from the ED, order a preliminary police inquiry, or register a case if it finds cognisable offences, officials said.
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