ED Seeks FIR in Punjab Government Interference Case; MARKFED Tender, Transfer Lists and IAS-IPS Links Under Scanner
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its scrutiny of an alleged network that it claims sought to influence government functioning in Punjab, asking the state’s Director General of Police, Gaurav Yadav, to register an FIR based on findings from its investigation. The central agency has alleged that its probe uncovered evidence suggesting attempts to interfere in transfers, postings, tender processes, licensing decisions, recruitment matters and other sensitive administrative functions through an alleged intermediary with connections inside the state government.
The development has placed several government departments under the spotlight. The ED’s communication reportedly names an IAS officer, another woman IAS officer, and an IPS officer in connection with different aspects of the investigation. The agency has also flagged alleged attempts to influence the tendering process at the Punjab State Co-operative Supply and Marketing Federation (MARKFED), making it one of the most significant bureaucratic investigations involving governance-related allegations in the state.
At present, the allegations remain under investigation, and the Punjab government has not initiated action on the ED’s communication.
ED Writes to Punjab DGP Seeking Criminal Investigation
According to the ED’s letter dated August 11, 2026, the agency believes the material gathered during its investigation warrants registration of an FIR and examination under multiple criminal laws.
The communication reportedly alleges a broader pattern of interference involving government transfers, policy decisions, tender allocations, licensing matters and administrative appointments across various departments.
The agency’s request is based on evidence it says was recovered during searches conducted in Mohali earlier this year. That material includes WhatsApp chats, call records, digital documents and other communications, which the ED claims point to attempts to influence official decisions through unofficial channels.
The case has drawn attention because the agency has suggested that confidential government information may have been shared before it entered the public domain.
Private Individual Allegedly Acted as a Government Intermediary
At the centre of the investigation is Nitin Gohal, whom investigating agencies have previously identified as the founder and CEO of Mohali-based Fortec Web Solutions Pvt Ltd and Techlive Solutions.
The ED alleges that chats and digital records recovered during raids conducted between May 7 and May 10, 2026, indicate that Gohal acted as an intermediary in matters relating to transfers and postings across multiple government departments.
According to the agency, the recovered communications suggest he functioned as a link between interested officials and an official in the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office, allegedly facilitating discussions involving preferred postings, proposed transfers, departmental adjustments and movement of officers.
The ED has further claimed that some communications reflected access to confidential administrative information before official announcements were made. Gohal has previously denied wrongdoing. Speaking to The Indian Express, he questioned whether communicating with people or recommending transfers constituted an offence, while stating that accepting money for securing transfers would amount to wrongdoing.
MARKFED Tender Process Comes Under the Spotlight
One of the most sensitive aspects of the ED’s letter concerns the MARKFED tendering process, which the agency has described under the heading “policy to be influenced.”
According to the ED, a chat dated January 21, 2026, allegedly discussed securing the appointment of a woman IAS officer with the objective of influencing or disrupting an ongoing MARKFED tender process as well as future schemes.
The agency has alleged that the communications indicate attempts to influence government procurement through intermediaries rather than official administrative channels.
Investigators have also claimed that the recovered records point to access to confidential policy proposals, draft administrative decisions and internal departmental communications that ordinarily would not be available publicly. These allegations remain subject to investigation.
Woman IAS Officer’s Posting Also Figures in the Probe
The ED’s communication also refers to conversations involving the proposed posting of another woman IAS officer. According to the agency, a chat dated January 1, 2026, allegedly suggested replacing an officer serving in the Women and Child Development Department with the preferred officer.
Another communication dated January 21 reportedly renewed the effort after the incumbent officer proceeded for training following a promotion. The ED alleges that the discussion also included a proposal to transfer the officer’s additional responsibilities to the preferred IAS officer.
The agency has cited these conversations as part of what it describes as a broader pattern of attempted administrative influence.
IPS Officer Named in Arms Licence Communication
The investigation also mentions an IPS officer currently serving as a Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP). According to the ED, a March 9, 2026 chat allegedly shows Gohal forwarding an arms licence application submitted by an acquaintance to the IPS officer with the apparent intention of getting the application processed quickly.
The agency has included this exchange among several communications that it believes merit further investigation. No findings of guilt have been established, and the matter remains under investigation.
ED Flags Alleged PPSC Interview Influence
The Punjab Public Service Commission has also entered the scope of the investigation. The ED has cited a December 28, 2024 communication under the heading “PPSC interview influenced.” According to the agency, the message concerned a candidate awaiting an interview for appointment as an Assistant Town Planner.
The ED has presented this communication as another example of what it describes as attempts to influence recruitment-related processes through unofficial channels.
Confidential Transfer Lists Allegedly Shared Before Public Release
Another significant allegation concerns the circulation of confidential transfer-related information. According to the ED:
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A proposed transfer list of DSP officers was allegedly shared on January 29, 2026.
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A proposed transfer list of PCS officers was allegedly circulated on February 28, 2026.
The agency argues that such exchanges indicate access to sensitive government information before official notifications were issued. If established during investigation, such allegations could raise questions about the handling of confidential administrative records.
Food and Civil Supplies Department Under Scrutiny
The ED’s investigation also touches the Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Department, where several communications allegedly discussed transportation policies, cartage arrangements and proposed changes to tender conditions.
One specific issue highlighted by the agency involves tenders for fortified rice kernels (FRKs) containing three micronutrients:
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Iron
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Folic acid
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Vitamin B12
These kernels are supplied in 25-kilogram bags as part of government procurement. According to the ED, some communications suggested discussions aimed at modifying policy conditions in ways that could potentially facilitate the re-allotment of tenders to certain parties.
These remain allegations under investigation.
Multiple Transfer Requests Allegedly Discussed
The ED has also referred to several conversations involving postings across different departments. Among the alleged requests mentioned in the communication are:
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Appointment of a 2016-batch PPS officer as SP (City), Mohali.
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Granting additional charge of Municipal Commissioner, Mohali after a vacancy arose.
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Posting of a 2022-batch PCS officer as Chief Manager (Personnel), MARKFED.
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Transfer of an SDM to Abohar, alongside another request seeking the officer’s appointment as Director of School Education (Secondary), Punjab, and Secretary of the Punjab School Education Board against vacant positions.
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An alleged request seeking suspension of a Jail Superintendent and initiation of disciplinary proceedings.
The ED has included these conversations as part of what it describes as a larger network of alleged attempts to influence government postings.
Alleged Payments Linked to Government Clearances
The agency’s communication also refers to chats discussing alleged payments connected to government approvals.
One communication dated April 1, 2026, reportedly concerns a prominent private university in Mohali seeking clearance from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). According to the ED, the chat allegedly indicated that payment had been made and that expedited processing was expected.
Another communication allegedly involved a Horticulture Department official, with references to an alleged payment described as “100”, alongside a message suggesting that the remaining amount would be paid later.
The ED has cited these communications as part of its wider allegations concerning monetary benefits allegedly linked to administrative decisions.
ED Invokes Anti-Corruption and Criminal Law Provisions
In its letter to the Punjab DGP, the Enforcement Directorate has indicated that the material deserves examination under multiple legal provisions.
The agency has referred to possible offences under:
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Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 – including Sections 7, 8 and 12 relating to illegal gratification involving public servants or intermediaries.
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Official Secrets Act.
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Indian Penal Code, 1860 – including Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 420 (cheating), 467 (forgery) and 471 (using forged documents as genuine).
The ED has stated that it shared the information under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for appropriate action by the competent authorities. At this stage, the agency has sought registration of an FIR, and the allegations have not been adjudicated in court.
Punjab Government Yet to Respond Officially
As of the latest developments, the Punjab government has not taken action on the ED’s request for an FIR. Official sources have indicated that the state government is examining the communication and seeking legal opinion before deciding on its next course of action.
No official response has yet been issued addressing the specific allegations contained in the ED’s letter. The next steps in the case will depend on whether the Punjab Police proceeds with registration of an FIR, how the legal opinion evolves, and what further action, if any, is initiated by the competent authorities.
