Court grants CBI five‑day custody of Punjab VB chief’s reader, two others in ₹13‑lakh graft case

The additional sessions judge (duty) Harinder Sidhu has granted the Central Bureau of Investigation a five‑day police custody extension for the reader attached to the Punjab Vidhan Sabha chief and two other accused in the ₹13‑lakh graft case. The CBI had filed separate applications seeking to extend the existing police custody of Rana and to place the other two individuals, Wadhwa and Goyal, under fresh custody for additional interrogation. The judge approved the requests, allowing the agency to detain the three suspects for the next five days. The matter concerns allegations of corruption involving the chief’s office and the alleged receipt of a bribe totalling ₹13 lakh. The reader, along with Wadhwa and Goyal, is alleged to have facilitated the transaction. Rana, who was already in police custody, will remain detained as the investigation proceeds. The CBI’s request for an extension was based on the need for further questioning regarding the alleged transaction and the roles played by the other two accused. By granting the five‑day custody, the court has signaled its willingness to support the investigative process when the agency demonstrates that additional time is required to uncover details of the alleged graft. The order was passed without any objection from the counsel representing the accused, according to the court record. Legal experts note that extended police custody is typically invoked when investigators need to confront suspects with evidence, trace financial trails, or record detailed statements. In this instance, the CBI indicated that the additional time would enable it to verify links between the alleged bribe and the officials involved. The Punjab Vidhan Sabha has not issued a public statement on the matter. Officials from the assembly’s office declined to comment when approached by reporters, citing the ongoing nature of the probe. The next steps will likely involve the CBI presenting its findings to the court at the end of the five‑day period. If the agency deems the interrogation satisfactory, it may seek further custody or file charges against the three individuals. The development adds to a series of recent anti‑corruption actions in Punjab, where the CBI and state agencies have been scrutinising alleged misuse of public funds and official positions. The ₹13‑lakh case, while modest in amount, is being watched closely as an indicator of the broader trend. The five‑day custody grant underscores the procedural tools available to law enforcement in graft investigations and highlights the continued focus on accountability within the state’s legislative framework.

Source: Hindustan Times