Full Breakdown
Supreme Court Recusal Delays Punjab Corruption Probe
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
On October 9 2026, Justice Sheel Nagu withdrew from a Supreme Court bench that was to hear Punjab’s appeal against a Punjab and Haryana High Court order directing the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to register a criminal case and submit a report within two months. The bench, comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Nagu, was reassigned to another panel by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant after the recusal.
Background & Context
The High Court’s October 5 directive followed a public-interest litigation filed by advocate Nikhil Saraf, alleging that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had flagged corruption involving Officer on Special Duty (OSD) Rajbir Singh Ghuman and others. The ED’s communications to Punjab Director General of Police Gaurav Yadav between July 24 and August 12 cited alleged bribes for manipulating government postings, tenders, licences and policy decisions. The CBI subsequently filed a 251-page FIR naming Ghuman, Nitin Gohal, Jitin Gohal (alias Raja), Romi Raja Mahajan, Bir Devinder and R.S. Nagra, and conducted searches at eight locations across Punjab.
Data & Statistics
- FIR length: 251 pages.
- Individuals named: six (Ghuman plus five associates).
- Search operations: coordinated raids at eight sites in Chandigarh, Mohali, Gurdaspur, Ludhiana, Patiala, Sangrur and Jalandhar.
- Materials seized: laptops, mobile phones and documents.
Official Statements & Responses
- Punjab Assembly Leader of Opposition Partap Singh Bajwa called for look-out circulars to prevent suspects from leaving India during the investigation.
On-the-Ground Reports
CBI summons posted outside Ghuman’s residence failed to secure his appearance; he sent a legal reply instead. Other accused, including Chuspinder Singh Chahal, also missed the scheduled appearance. The agency reiterated that proper service of notice is required for compliance.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
The CBI’s account indicates Ghuman did not attend because he had not been formally served, whereas BJP-aligned statements suggest the summons were ignored deliberately. No independent verification of service status is provided in the sources.
Verbatim Quotes
- “No, no. These are very difficult times. One does not know where the attack will come from. There are 17 other benches and it can go to any other bench,” — Justice Datta
- “These are very difficult times. One does not know where the attack will come from… There are 17 other Benches and it can go to any other Bench,” — Justice Datta
- “This cannot be heard by Justice Nagu…it will be assigned to another Bench by the CJI.” — Justice Datta
- “These days there are a thousand sources. We do not know where the attacks will come.” — Justice Datta
What’s Next
The matter will be listed before a newly constituted Supreme Court bench after Chief Justice Surya Kant assigns it. The court’s schedule for hearing the Punjab government’s challenge remains pending.