India, Oct. 5 -- The Punjab and Haryana High Court on Monday handed over to the Central Bureau of Investigation the probe into allegations of corruption and illegal gratification involving persons linked to the Punjab Chief Minister's Office, giving a fresh push to a case that had been at the centre of a confrontation between the Enforcement Directorate and the Punjab government.

The court's decision came on a public interest litigation filed by advocate Nikhil Saraf, who had sought an independent investigation into allegations of a "cash for transfers" and "cash for tenders" network involving public servants, private individuals and persons allegedly connected with the CMO.

The allegations had gained prominence after the Enforcement Di...