Goa, Oct. 12 -- In a key legal development, the Supreme Court of India on Monday ordered that no coercive action be taken against individuals associated with the Punjab government who are currently under scrutiny by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over corruption allegations.

A bench comprising Justices M.M. Sundresh and P.B. Varale issued formal notices to the Union Government, the CBI, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and other relevant respondents. Clarifying the scope of the interim protection, the bench explicitly noted that while the registration of First Information Reports (FIRs) is not stayed, investigating agencies must refrain from taking coercive steps against the officials involved while the matter is under review...