The CBI raided eight locations in Punjab and Chandigarh linked to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s aide, Rajbir Ghuman. The agency started searches after the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered a probe into corruption allegations. Officials seized laptops and documents, as they now investigate claims of manipulated government postings.

The CBI has conducted raids at multiple locations in Punjab and Chandigarh in connection with alleged corruption charges against Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann's aide and Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Rajbir Ghuman.

The raids were conducted after the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered a CBI probe into allegations of a corruption nexus involving Ghuman, private persons and the Punjab Chief Minister's Office. The allegations were flagged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which had written three letters to the Punjab DGP seeking action in the matter.

The CBI conducted coordinated searches at eight locations across Chandigarh, Mohali, Gurdaspur, Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur and Jalandhar at premises connected with the accused persons. Laptops, mobile phones and documents were seized, according to the CBI.

Pursuant to the High Court's order and a report received from the ED, the CBI registered an FIR naming six persons, including Ghuman, public servants, middlemen and associates.

The CBI is investigating allegations that the accused influenced and manipulated postings of IAS and IPS officers, departmental proceedings, policy formulation, administrative approvals, tender conditions, licensing matters, Change of Land Use (CLU) matters, property disputes and revenue and land-related issues in lieu of pecuniary benefits.

The agency also alleged that accused public servants accessed and provided drafts of government orders and policies to private persons before their issuance.

The Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered the CBI probe after a PIL was filed by advocate Nikhil Saraf, following allegations that the Punjab Police had not acted on the matter. The CBI has been asked to submit its report within two months.

The ED had earlier alleged widespread corruption in transfers and postings, CLU matters and other dealings in Punjab, and had also named Ghuman in its letters to the DGP.

The CBI said the seized material is being scrutinised for evidence of bribery and impropriety.