Notification issued for withdrawing cases from CBI

Amid controversy surrounding the decision that the state cannot withdraw a case from the CBI, Advocate General Atul Nanda, in his legal opinion said that the Centre was empowered to allow the state to withdraw a case from CBI especially if the applicant in the case was people’s representative.

Bargari desecration, Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan police firing cases, police firing cases, case withdrawn for CBI, Central Bureau of Investigation, Punjab, Indian Express

Punjab State Assembly unanimously passed a resolution to withdraw cases from the central investigation agency. (Express Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)

Nine days after Punjab Assembly passed a resolution seeking from the government to withdraw Bargari desecration and Kotkapura and Behbal Kalan police firing cases from CBI, the government on Thursday issued a notification withdrawing the cases from the central investigation agency. The government would now write to the Union government as well as the CBI seeking withdrawal of the cases while appending Thursday’s notification and also the resolution passed by the Vidhan Sabha with the communique.

Action followed after the government took a legal opinion on the issue amid a controversy surrounding the decision that the state cannot withdraw a case from the central investigation agency. Advocate General Atul Nanda, in his legal opinion, has stated that the Centre was empowered to allow the state to withdraw a case from CBI especially if the applicant in the case was people’s representative.

In this case, it was the state Assembly that had passed a resolution unanimously with both Congress and Aam Aadmi Party members supporting it.

Two notifications, one dated August 24, 2018, regarding handing over of the case of Behbal Kalan and Kotkapura police firing FIRs to CBI and November 2015 notification regarding Bargari sacrilege, have been withdrawn after Thursday’s notification. The investigation of Bargari sacrilege was handed over to CBI by the previous SAD-BJP government and both cases of police firing were handed over by the Congress government.

The CBI had initiated investigations into Bargari sacrilege case, but is yet to initiate probes in the other. With withdrawing the notifications, and by writing to Centre, the state government has put the ball in the Union government’s court. “The ruling party is in a win-win situation. If Centre allows us to withdraw it, we will say Congress government is doing its best to bring the guilty to book. If it does not, we will say Akalis are not allowing ally BJP to allow withdrawal,” said a Congress leader. Withdrawal of cases from CBI was a result of persistence of several party leaders who impressed upon the CM that the state police should investigate the cases as the central agency would take long and they would not be able to take the cases to a logical conclusion. The entire state is keenly watching whether the cases would be allowed to be withdrawn or not.

Exercising the powers conferred under Section 6 of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act, 1946, the Punjab Governor has withdrawn his consent given for handing over the cases to the CBI.

Kanchan Vasdev

Kanchan Vasdev is a Senior Assistant Editor in The Indian Express’ Punjab bureau. She is a highly experienced journalist with 22 years of expertise covering high-stakes politics, governance, and social issues in Northern India. Professional Background Role: Primary reporter covering the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), government policies, and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leadership in the state. Experience: She previously worked with The Tribune and has played a key role in launching various city editions. Special Projects: Abandoned Brides: Authored a monograph on brides abandoned by NRIs as part of the Prabha Dutt Memorial Fellowship. Environment: Worked as a Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) fellow, focusing on the pollution levels in the Satluj river. Recent Notable Articles (Late 2025) Her recent reporting focuses on the legislative strategies and political maneuvers of the Bhagwant Mann-led Punjab government: 1. Legislative & Governance Standoffs "Punjab govt advances special Assembly session to pass resolution against VB-G RAM G Bill" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the state's move to block the Centre's "Viksit Bharat" mission, which the state claims will undermine MGNREGA. "Punjab govt doubles down on special sessions, sixth in January" (Dec 19, 2025): Detailing the AAP government's use of special sessions as a legislative tool amid tensions with the Governor. "Punjab asks 'VIP teachers' working near Chandigarh to go back to border districts" (Dec 16, 2025): Reporting on CM Mann's move to end the practice of influential teachers avoiding postings in remote areas. 2. Political Analysis & Rural Polls "Punjab rural polls: Why Akalis are likened to dinosaurs in Punjab" (Dec 19, 2025): Analyzing CM Bhagwant Mann's rhetoric against the Shiromani Akali Dal (SAD) following local body elections. "AAP claims win in 78% Punjab zila parishads as counting continues" (Dec 18, 2025): Breaking down the results of the 2025 rural elections. "Rahul Gandhi and Sidhu alike, says Bhagwant Mann" (Dec 13, 2025): Covering the CM's critique of the Congress leadership. 3. Law Enforcement & Bureaucracy "Suspended Punjab IPS officer Ravjot Kaur Grewal awaits reinstatement" (Dec 10, 2025): Investigative reporting on the bureaucratic red tape involving the Election Commission and the state government. "Punjab declines to give parole to Amritpal Singh" (Nov 27, 2025): Detailing the state government's refusal to grant parole to the radical preacher and sitting MP. 4. Welfare & Economy "Punjab government's plan to add more freebies to 'atta-dal' scheme hits funds roadblock" (Dec 4, 2024): An analysis of the fiscal challenges facing the state's flagship food security program. "Mann leads Punjab delegation to Japan and South Korea for investor outreach" (Dec 2, 2025). Signature Beat Kanchan Vasdev is known for her insider access to Punjab's political executive. Her writing provides deep insights into how state policies are formulated and the friction points between the state government and central authorities. Her dual expertise in environment and law allows her to report on complex issues like the "Farmhouse Policy" (Dec 18, 2025) and river pollution with a unique policy-oriented lens. X (Twitter): @kanchan99 ... Read More

Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram

Tags:
CBI
Punjab