Chandigarh, Oct 5: In a major judicial development, the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered the Central Bureau of Investigation to assume control of the probe into alleged monetary demands for government transfers, policy approvals, and public tenders in Punjab.
The decision follows public interest litigation alleging that informal networks exercised undue influence over senior administrative assignments, builder permits, and department contracts. During court proceedings, legal counsel representing central bodies asserted that initial representations forwarded to state authorities had failed to yield appropriate investigative action, necessitating an external agency probe.
The High Court Bench directed the CBI to conduct an exhaustive inquiry into the matter and present its findings within sixty days. Judicial authorities maintained that an impartial central investigation remains paramount to upholding public trust, assessing administrative integrity, and determining the veracity of all claims raised in the petition.
