Punjab Newsline | Chandigarh
Punjab government has approached the Supreme Court challenging the Punjab and Haryana High Court’s order directing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register a case and probe allegations arising from letters allegedly sent by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to the Punjab Police.
Appearing for the Punjab government, senior advocate Vikas Singh sought an urgent hearing before the Supreme Court. However, the Chief Justice of India declined to hear the matter on Tuesday and said it could be considered tomorrow or the day after.
When asked about the complaint, Singh told the apex court that the allegations related to the transfer and posting of state government officials. He argued that the matter was politically motivated and alleged that such cases were being created during the election period.
With elections due in Punjab, the state government has challenged the High Court’s decision to hand over the matter to the CBI. The Supreme Court will now consider the state’s plea challenging the CBI probe and the directions issued by the High Court.
The High Court had directed the CBI to take up the matter and submit its investigation report within two months. The order was passed while hearing a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by advocate Nikhil Saraf, who had sought an independent investigation based on the ED’s communications to the Punjab Police.
The matter is linked to allegations of corruption involving people associated with the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office. Following the High Court’s directions, the CBI was asked to register a case and conduct an investigation.
