Hoshiarpur:- “The ED has not sent any political letter to the Punjab DGP; rather, it has forwarded material obtained during the course of an investigation under Section 66(2) of the PMLA and has clearly stated that the material indicates the commission of cognizable offences. The Supreme Court has repeatedly held that when information discloses the commission of a cognizable offence, registration of an FIR is mandatory in law, subject to the principles laid down by the court. The fact that the Punjab Police has kept the ED reference pending for the last 13 days raises serious questions about its willingness to take action. Therefore, we demand an independent CBI investigation into the entire matter,” said former Union Minister and former Punjab BJP State President Vijay Sampla while addressing a press conference in Chandigarh.
Sampla said that the ED reference is based on material gathered during the investigation of a case, which contains serious allegations relating to criminal conspiracy, corruption, unauthorised leakage of confidential government information, interference in transfers and appointments, manipulation of government policies and tenders, illegal financial benefits and other cognizable offences.
He said, “The matter becomes even more serious because the ED investigation material mentions Rajbir Ghuman, who is associated with the Chief Minister’s Office as OSD, and also refers to his alleged coordination with Nitin Gohal in matters related to government functioning. The material mentions several issues ranging from transfers and appointments to government policies, tenders, confidential information, land-related matters, licences and alleged financial benefits. This raises a fundamental question: how did such a wide network allegedly operate around a person associated with the Chief Minister’s Office, and how did the Chief Minister remain unaware of it?”
He said that the Chief Minister must now clarify his position. “If Bhagwant Mann genuinely had no knowledge of these alleged activities and has nothing to hide, he should himself demand a CBI investigation. He is also the Home Minister of Punjab, and the Punjab Police functions under the state government. In such circumstances, an independent central investigation is necessary to maintain public confidence and bring the truth to light.”
Sampla demanded immediate registration of the FIR sought by the ED, preservation of all digital, documentary and financial evidence, and a time-bound CBI investigation into the entire matter. He said that the investigation should also examine the roles of Nitin Gohal, Rajbir Ghuman and all other persons named in the ED material.
“Bhagwant Mann has repeatedly claimed that his government is committed to honesty and transparency. Now is the time to prove it. Punjab needs an impartial investigation, not explanations; an FIR, not political excuses; and the truth—whatever that truth may be,” Sampla said.