ED writes to Punjab DGP, seeks FIR against CM Mann’s OSD in transfer racket

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has asked the Punjab Police to register an FIR against private individual Nitin Gohal and others for allegedly using influence to interfere in government functioning. The agency sent a reminder to the DGP regarding an organised 'racket of transfers and postings'. The ED alleges that Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, was leading the racket involving IAS and IPS officers.

The ED, in a letter to DGP Gaurav Yadav on July 24, sought a criminal case against Ghuman, Gohal, and Bir Devinder under the PMLA. The agency claims Gohal acted as an intermediary for transfers, leaking documents, and facilitating arms licences in exchange for money. Evidence related to over 20 officers has been flagged. The Punjab government is examining the allegations. DGP Yadav has sought legal inputs from the state police's Bureau of Investigation.

The ED has also summoned Punjab IAS officer Kanwal Preet Brar on August 18 in a separate money-laundering probe into alleged irregularities in land use permissions for the Suntec City project in Mohali. Fake consent letters with forged signatures were allegedly used for CLU approvals. Brar, who served as Director of Town and Country Planning in 2024, is to be questioned about the processing of these permissions.