The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has begun examining government files related to 15 cases as part of its probe into alleged irregularities involving postings, favourable policy decisions and tender allocation in Punjab, in what has been described as a suspected “cash-for-posting” racket.
 

The agency has sought official records from various state government departments, including files concerning appointments in the Chief Minister’s Office, recruitment, property development projects, licensing arrangements, transfer policies and government contracts.
 

Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, and five others — Nitin Goyal, Jitin Goyal, Romi Mahajan, Bir Devinder and R S Nagra — have been named as accused in a case registered by the CBI last week.
 

The agency has also sought files relating to the appointments of Ghuman and Jitin Goyal in the Chief Minister’s Office.
 

Government departments submit records
 

Several departments sent some of the requested files to the CBI on Wednesday, while additional documents were submitted on Thursday. The state government has also deputed senior officials from the concerned departments to deliver records to the agency’s Anti-Corruption Branch office in Sector 30-A, Chandigarh.
 

The CBI has sought files along with the relevant note sheets and drafts to examine the decision-making process and official documentation associated with the matters under investigation.
 

According to communications seeking the records, copies of which are available with The Tribune Group, the documents cover a range of administrative, commercial and policy-related matters.
 

Recruitment, appointments and housing projects under scrutiny
 

Among the records sought are files relating to the 2024 recruitment of Assistant Town Planners (Grade A) in Punjab’s Local Government Department.
 

The agency has also requested documents concerning the Escon Primera group housing project being developed by Malwa Projects Private Limited at Chhat village on Airport Road in Zirakpur.
 

Files relating to the official orders appointing Rajbir Ghuman as OSD to the Chief Minister and Jitin Kumar Goyal, alias Raja, as production manager in the Chief Minister’s Office are also on the list.
 

Hospital licences, software purchases and transport policies
 

The CBI has sought records concerning the renewal of licences for Mind Care Hospital in Sirhind during 2024, as well as Verka’s procurement of SAP user licences during 2024-25.
 

The requested documents also include licensing agreements associated with TeQCty and SAP, along with the state policies for grain labour and transportation for 2024 prepared by the Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs.
 

The agency is examining these records as part of its wider investigation into alleged irregularities involving government decisions, contracts and administrative processes.
 

Transfer policies and development-related files
 

Other documents sought by the CBI relate to transfer policies for 2023-24 and 2024-25.
 

The list also includes records concerning Hi-Tech Developers and Builders in connection with PSPL’s work relating to New Khanna City Extension, RKM Housing Limited and the Greater Mohali Area Development Authority (GMADA).
 

Files relating to pollution-related clearance granted to Chandigarh Group of Colleges for 2025-26 have also been sought.
 

In addition, the agency has requested records from the Rehabilitation and Disaster Management Department.
 

Arms licence applications also included
 

The documents sought by the CBI include applications for arms licences submitted by nine individuals, among them Gagandeep Singh Ahluwalia, chairman of the Punjab Khadi and Village Industries Board, and Chuspinder Chahal, an AAP leader from Mansa.
 

The agency is collecting these records from the relevant departments through Additional Superintendent of Police K L Moses, according to reports.
 

CBI to submit report to High Court by December 4
 

The CBI is required to submit its investigation report before the Punjab and Haryana High Court by December 4.
 

The probe into alleged corruption and the exercise of influence in government appointments, policy decisions and tender-related matters is being conducted following the High Court’s directions to the agency.
 

The examination of the 15 sets of government records is expected to help the CBI scrutinise the official decision-making processes and documents connected with the cases under investigation. The allegations remain subject to the findings of the investigation and the legal process.