CBI initiates probes in two cases of bribery, intimidation charges

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has launched two investigations after the Punjab and Haryana High Court ordered an independent probe into cross-complaints involving a practising advocate and his clients over allegations of bribery and criminal intimidation.

The directive stems from a high court order dated August 22 in Ankush Dhanerwal vs state of Punjab and others, which instructed the CBI to examine accusations of professional misconduct against advocate Ankush Dhanerwal. According to the complaint, Dhanerwal allegedly solicited money from his client Balwinder Singh and his son Ranjit Singh, residents of Maidewas village in Punjab, purportedly to influence the outcome of a petition related to panchayat elections. The alleged bribe was reportedly sought in the name of a government pleader and a judicial officer to secure a favourable order.

Acting on the court’s direction, the CBI’s anti-corruption branch in Chandigarh has registered a case under Sections 7 and 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988 (as amended in 2018), read with Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. The investigation will be led by Inspector Pawan Kumar.

In a separate but related development, the high court also instructed the CBI to investigate the counter-complaint filed by advocate Dhanerwal, who had accused Balwinder and Ranjit of issuing threats and attempting to intimidate him.

Consequently, the agency has registered a second case under Sections 329(3) & (4) and 351(2)(3), read with Section 3(5) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. This inquiry has been assigned to Sub-Inspector Manish Kaushik of the CBI anti-corruption branch.

Both matters are now under the CBI scrutiny, marking the court’s clear emphasis on an impartial probe into the conflicting allegations.