Supreme Court Refuses To Stay CBI FIR Against Punjab CM's OSD, Bars Coercive Action

The Supreme Court on Monday ordered that no coercive steps be taken in the CBI FIR registered in connection with corruption allegations linked to the Officer on Special Duty (OSD) to the Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann.A bench of Justice MM Sundresh and Justice Prasanna B Varale issued notice on the petition filed by the Punjab government challenging the High Court's direction to register an FIR in the matter. However, the Court refused to stay the FIR and directed that no coercive steps be taken in the case. The bench further observed that the State must cooperate with the investigation.Senior Advocate Vikas Singh appeared for the State. Senior Advocate Dama Seshadri Naidu, appearing on behalf of the respondent (PIL petitioner in the High Court), submitted that the respondent was facing vindictive action from the State Government, and that his property was demolished.