'CBI Conducted Search, Left Empty-Handed,' Bhagwant Mann Takes Dig at BJP

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has criticised the BJP following a CBI search in Sangrur, alleging that the use of central investigative agencies against political rivals is often linked to approaching elections. Reacting to the search, Mann said the CBI action indicated that the election season had arrived. He accused the BJP of deploying agencies such as the CBI and Enforcement Directorate against Opposition leaders and people associated with them in states heading towards polls.

Mann referred to the legal action involving Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren before the state assembly elections and cited similar cases involving people associated with former West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. He also claimed that Aam Aadmi Party leaders had faced comparable action before the Delhi assembly elections.

According to Mann, the CBI search continued for nearly six hours but yielded no findings, with the officials leaving the premises without recovering anything significant. He alleged that the operation was politically motivated and intended to damage his reputation and that of the Punjab government. Mann further linked the action to the BJP's anti-drug campaign in Punjab, claiming that the campaign had not produced the political results the party expected.

The chief minister maintained that the search was part of an attempt to create a negative narrative against the AAP government ahead of the upcoming elections. The CBI conducted a search at the residence of Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Mann's Officer on Special Duty, in Gharachon village in Sangrur. The operation quickly became a political flashpoint, with representatives of Waris Punjab De and the Akali Dal Punar Surjeet reaching the village and publicly welcoming the CBI team.

After the CBI vehicles departed, some locals were seen beating dhols, dancing bhangra and showering flower petals on the departing vehicles. Sources said the agency was probing allegations involving individuals accused of causing substantial losses to the Punjab government and misappropriating public funds.

BJP leader Tarun Chug criticised the celebrations, calling them an “extraordinary display of shamelessness.” Taking aim at AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal, Chug said the phase of political theatrics was over and asserted that those responsible would have to account for every rupee allegedly taken from the people of Punjab. He urged the AAP leadership to allow the investigation to continue and said the facts should determine the outcome.

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