The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday reserved its verdict on a public interest petition alleging high-level corruption and bribery within the state government of Punjab.

The petition, filed by practicing attorney Nikhil Saraf, alleges that senior Punjab officials engaged in widespread illicit schemes involving "cash for transfers, cash for favorable policies, and cash for government tenders". Saraf argued that despite the federal Enforcement Directorate (ED) issuing multiple communications to state authorities under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act detailing corruption in high public offices, no official investigation or action followed. The petition states that key allegations target individuals working within the Chief Minister's Office, civil servants, and private individuals closely connected to the Chief Minister's family.

A division bench comprising acting Chief Justice Ashwani Kumar Mishra and Justice Rohit Kapoor reserved the decision after six hearings.

Representing the Enforcement Directorate, Additional Solicitor-General Satya Pal Jain faulted the state government for ignoring warnings sent by its Jalandhar office to the Punjab Director General of Police. Jain stated that the ED instructed Punjab Police to file a confidential FIR to prevent political fallout, accusing the state government of prioritizing "political duty over state duty".

Senior advocate Vikram Chaudhari, appearing for the Punjab government, asked the court for a three-week extension to submit a final status report, assuring the bench that authorities are taking the matter seriously and working to eradicate corruption. Chaudhari questioned why the federal agency took 90 days to issue its letter to state police, asserting that law enforcement required adequate time to review the ED's supplied material before launching formal criminal proceedings.