CBI graft case: WhatsApp chats ‘key evidence’ against CM’s OSD, writes Dr. Kiran Deep

WhatsApp chats, call records and other digital evidence are now at the centre of a CBI investigation into corruption allegations involving Rajbir Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann, and others. The probe follows an October 5 order by the Punjab and Haryana High Court directing the agency to examine allegations linked to the transfer and posting of government officials, policies, tenders, licences and land-related matters.

The CBI has named Ghuman, Nitin Gohal, Jitin Gohal alias Raja, Romi Raja Mahajan, Bir Devinder and R S Nagra as accused. The FIR also refers to unidentified public servants and private individuals. The material being examined by the agency includes evidence earlier gathered by the Enforcement Directorate during its investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

According to the ED documents cited by the CBI, searches conducted between May 7 and May 10, 2026, at premises linked to Ajay Sehgal, Nitin Goyal, Suresh Kumar Bajaj and others resulted in the recovery of documents and other material.

The ED subsequently shared information with the Punjab Police regarding alleged offences. The High Court later intervened after allegations that the police had not registered an FIR despite receiving the information.

What the digital evidence shows

The CBI is considering WhatsApp chats as key evidence and other communications recovered from Nitin Gohal’s devices indicated his alleged involvement in matters relating to transfers and postings. The ED documents cited by the CBI refer to WhatsApp conversations between September 20, 2023, and March 18, 2026, revealed the sources. The North News has copies of the chat documents submitted by the ED and CBI as part of the investigation in the case.

In an FIR registered by the CBI revelaed that the conversations concerned transfers, postings and departmental movements involving officials in areas including the police, Punjab Civil Services, Food and Civil Supplies, Markfed and GMADA. The material also refers to communications involving draft orders, proposed transfers and preferred postings. According to the ED, some information relating to government decisions was allegedly shared before it became public.

The investigation also covers policy and tender-related matters. The ED identified conversations that it said involved confidential policy proposals, draft administrative decisions, departmental communications and tender conditions, including matters relating to fortified rice kernels and Markfed.

The documents also refer to communications concerning land transactions, change of land use matters, demarcation proceedings, property disputes, development projects and housing schemes.

The ED alleged that Nitin Gohal and associates had access to information relating to land records, revenue matters and government approvals.

The CBI  is also examining communications that allegedly refer to monetary payments and other benefits in connection with transfers, postings, land matters, policy-related work and other official matters.

The ED said Rs 20.98 lakh in cash was recovered from Nitin Gohal during search proceedings.

The documents further allege that some individuals had access to confidential transfer proposals, posting orders, policy documents, administrative approvals and other government communications before their formal release.

CBI searches

Following the High Court’s order, the CBI registered the case and conducted searches at eight locations in Chandigarh, Mohali, Gurdaspur, Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur and Jalandhar, including the chief minister’s camp office. The agency seized laptops, mobile phones and documents during the searches. The material is being examined as part of the investigation. The CBI has also cited electronic evidence certificates under the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023, in relation to the digital material.

How the case reached the court

The proceedings began with allegations contained in communications sent by the ED to the Punjab Director General of Police. The information concerned alleged interference in transfers and postings, policy and tender matters, licensing, land-related issues and other government decisions.

A public interest petition filed by advocate Nikhil Saraf alleged that Punjab Police had failed to take appropriate action on the information received from the ED.The High Court asked the ED to place its communications before it. The CBI subsequently told the court that it had no objection to taking up the investigation if directed to do so.The court then ordered the CBI probe on October 5.

CM Mann: Ghuman ready to join probe if he receives summons

Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has said his OSD was ready to join the investigation provided he received the summons. Mann has also criticised the BJP over the CBI searches and alleged that central investigative agencies have been used against political opponents ahead of elections. The CBI searched the Punjab Chief Minister’s camp office after registering the case. The agency summoned the CM’s OSD to join the investigation at 2.30 pm on Wednesday. However, Ghuman said he had not received any summons and approached the court.