The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alerted the Punjab DGP regarding a sophisticated 'wheeling-dealing' network involving an IAS officer and a private middleman to manipulate Markfed tenders and government postings.
- ED has requested the Punjab DGP to file an FIR over alleged interference in Markfed tenders.
- Private individual Nitin Gohal is accused of leaking confidential documents and influencing official transfers.
- The probe implicates an IAS officer, a woman IAS officer, and an IPS officer in various favors.
Chandigarh: In a startling revelation of administrative malpractice, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has flagged the involvement of an IAS officer in attempting to sabotage and influence the tendering process of the Punjab State Co-op Supply & Marketing Federation Ltd (MARKFED). In a formal communique to Director General of Police (DGP) Gaurav Yadav, the federal agency has sought the registration of an FIR based on evidence of systematic 'wheeling-dealing' within Punjab government departments.
The investigation gained momentum following raids conducted between May 7 and 10, 2026, in Mohali. The ED seized devices belonging to Nitin Gohal, the founder and CEO of Fortec Web Solutions Pvt Ltd and Techlive Solutions. Analysis of WhatsApp chats and call records revealed that Gohal acted as a high-level intermediary, bridging the gap between ambitious officials and a key contact within the Punjab Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
The Nexus: Postings, Licenses, and Policy Manipulation
The ED's findings suggest a wide-ranging influence operation. Chat transcripts from January 2026 explicitly mention an IAS officer's attempts to manipulate Markfed tenders. Furthermore, the agency highlighted requests to secure a specific posting for a woman IAS officer in the Women and Child Development Department, bypassing other eligible candidates. The corruption extended to the police force, where an IPS officer (currently an SSP) allegedly fast-tracked arms license applications for Gohal's associates.
Why This Matters
BozokMedia analysis shows that this is not a case of isolated bribery but a systemic failure of administrative integrity. When private entities gain access to confidential policy proposals and draft administrative decisions, the state's neutrality is compromised. The focus on Markfed—a critical entity for agricultural supply—indicates that the corruption touched the very grassroots of Punjab's economy, potentially diverting public funds into private pockets.
“The infiltration of private intermediaries into the CMO and senior bureaucracy creates a shadow government where decisions are sold to the highest bidder.”
The scope of interference extended to the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC), where messages dated December 2024 suggest that interviews for the post of Assistant Town Planner were influenced. Moreover, the ED uncovered attempts to alter transportation and cartage policies for the supply of fortified rice kernels (FRKS) to favor specific vendors.
| Affected Sector | Alleged Manipulation | Key Actors Involved |
|---|---|---|
| Markfed Tenders | Condition alterations for specific parties | IAS Officer & Nitin Gohal |
| Administrative Postings | Leaking transfer lists (DSP/PCS) | CMO Contact & Middleman |
| PPSC Recruitment | Influencing interview outcomes | Private Agents & Candidates |
While Nitin Gohal has defended his actions as merely 'helping people' and denied accepting money, the ED maintains that the access to confidential government communications proves a criminal conspiracy to subvert official processes. As of now, the Punjab government has neither taken official action nor issued a reaction to the ED's letter.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What is the primary demand of the ED in this case?
The ED has asked the Punjab DGP to register an FIR against those involved in manipulating government tenders and official postings based on the evidence found in digital devices.
Q2: Who is Nitin Gohal and what was his role?
Nitin Gohal is the CEO of a Mohali-based tech firm who allegedly served as a middleman between government officials and the CMO to facilitate illegal favors for money or influence.
