Justice Sheel Nagu Recuses From Punjab CBI Probe Plea

Justice Sheel Nagu recusal from the Punjab government’s plea has led the Supreme Court to direct that the matter be placed before the Chief Justice of India for assignment to another bench. The plea challenges a Punjab and Haryana High Court order directing the CBI to register a criminal case and investigate corruption allegations linked to the office of Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.

The matter was before a bench comprising Justice Dipankar Datta and Justice Sheel Nagu.

Matter to Be Placed Before Chief Justice of India

Justice Datta said the case should be placed before the Chief Justice of India so that it could be assigned to another bench.

Referring to the possibility of objections being raised if the same bench continued hearing the matter, Justice Datta said:

“We are in very difficult times. One doesn’t know where the attack will come from.”

He added that there were other benches available and that the order would be signed to place the case before the CJI.

Punjab Had Flagged Justice Nagu’s Earlier Role

Senior Advocate Vikas Singh, appearing for the Punjab government, had earlier informed the bench that Justice Nagu had passed certain orders in related proceedings while serving as Chief Justice of the Punjab and Haryana High Court.

Those orders related to a separate issue, but the Supreme Court had said it would examine them before deciding whether the present bench could continue hearing the matter.

Punjab Challenges High Court’s CBI Probe Order

The Punjab government approached the Supreme Court after the Punjab and Haryana High Court directed the CBI to register a case and investigate allegations made by the Enforcement Directorate against persons linked to Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s office.

The High Court had ordered the agency to conduct what it described as a fair and transparent investigation and submit a report within two months.

CBI Has Already Registered Case

Following the High Court order, the CBI registered a corruption case involving Rajbir Singh Ghuman, Officer on Special Duty to the Punjab Chief Minister, and others.

The allegations include influencing postings, administrative matters, tenders and other official decisions in exchange for alleged pecuniary benefits. These remain allegations and are subject to investigation and judicial scrutiny.

Next Step After Justice Sheel Nagu Recusal

With the Justice Sheel Nagu recusal, the Punjab government’s plea will now await reassignment by the Chief Justice of India.

The next bench will consider Punjab’s challenge to the High Court order directing the CBI probe and determine how the matter proceeds.