Breaking-Punjab Transfer-Posting Row: Punjab Human Rights Org. seeks FIR against CS, CM OSD, others over alleged graft
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, August 17, 2026: The Punjab Human Rights Organisation (PHRO) has demanded immediate registration of an FIR against Punjab Chief Secretary, OSD to the Chief Minister Rajbir Ghuman, Nitin Gohal, Bir Davinder, Jatin Gohal alias Raja, Dr Romi and other government and private individuals over alleged corruption and interference in the transfer and posting of government officials.
In a statement, the organisation claimed that the alleged irregularities had surfaced during an Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation in connection with ECIR No. JLZO/21/2024. PHRO has also called for scrutiny of officials who, according to the organisation, may have allegedly benefited from the practices under investigation.
The organisation said documents relating to the matter had been collected by Sarabjit Singh Verka and claimed that the material had subsequently been verified as genuine. However, the allegations and authenticity of the documents should be independently established by the competent authorities.
PHRO has urged the Punjab Police to register an FIR and conduct a detailed investigation into the allegations instead of limiting the matter to an administrative inquiry.
The organisation has also raised separate allegations concerning a recent visit to Canada by the sister of the Punjab Chief Minister. PHRO alleged that she received gifts from a coloniser who, according to the organisation, is constructing a hotel near the Army Headquarters in Amritsar in alleged violation of applicable rules.
PHRO further claimed that complaints had been submitted by Army officials regarding the alleged construction, but no FIR had been registered so far. The organisation has demanded that the authorities examine the complaints, establish the facts and take action if violations are found.
The PHRO also referred to an order of the Punjab and Haryana High Court dated July 20, 2026, concerning allegations that the Chief Minister’s wife had allegedly sought money from an associate of a rape accused in connection with the cases against him.
The organisation alleged that despite the court’s directions for an inquiry by the Punjab Director General of Police, no action had been taken so far. The exact contents and scope of the court order should be examined before drawing conclusions regarding any alleged wrongdoing.
PHRO has also criticised the Enforcement Directorate over what it described as a lack of action against alleged international drug traffickers. The organisation claimed that thousands of pages of evidence relating to such alleged activities had been submitted to ED officials but alleged that no effective action had followed.
The organisation has demanded that investigating agencies examine all the allegations independently, identify those responsible if the charges are substantiated and initiate criminal proceedings in accordance with law.
The allegations made by PHRO could not be independently verified at the time of publication. The individuals and authorities named in the organisation’s statement have not been treated as guilty of any offence, and any criminal liability would have to be established through due process of law.
The issue has acquired fresh significance this month. The Supreme Court has agreed to consider a plea seeking action against social-media and online platforms under POCSO over allegations concerning the hosting or failure to report child sexual abuse material. The development brings renewed focus on the legal responsibilities of digital intermediaries in preventing the circulation of such content.
The Supreme Court has also urged the use of terminology that reflects the nature of the offence and the victimisation involved, rather than language that normalises or trivialises the sexual exploitation of children.
Phoolka’s warning therefore comes against the backdrop of both the Supreme Court’s clarification of the law on online child sexual abuse material and continuing scrutiny of the role of social-media platforms in detecting, removing and reporting such content.
For internet users, the legal message is clear: knowingly accessing, possessing, storing or dealing with child sexual abuse material can have serious criminal consequences, depending on the circumstances and the specific provisions attracted under Indian law.