Punjab Police ex-DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar, arrested by the CBI in a bribery case, was sent to judicial custody on Tuesday after completing five days of CBI remand. He was produced before the CBI Special Court in Chandigarh, which directed that he remain in judicial custody till November 20. The next hearing in the case will be held through video conferencing.
During the hearing, the CBI told the court that Bhullar was not cooperating during interrogation and was avoiding direct answers to important questions. The agency claimed that despite repeated questioning, the officer did not give clear replies about the financial links, property transactions, and names of officials connected to the case.
Bhullar’s lawyer, HS Dhanoa, requested the court to allow medical treatment for the DIG inside jail. The judge asked the defence counsel to file a formal application with the jail authorities for necessary medical care.
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has now joined the case, expanding the scope of the investigation. On Tuesday morning, an ED team visited the CBI office in Chandigarh to collect records of IAS and IPS officers who allegedly acquired benami properties through middlemen and property dealers. The ED will now examine the financial aspects of the transactions that came to light during the CBI probe.
According to sources, the investigation has so far revealed the names of over 30 Punjab officers, many of whom are currently holding key field postings. The agency has gathered evidence from the mobile phones and electronic devices of middleman Krishanu Sharda, who was arrested along with DIG Bhullar in a Rs 8 lakh bribery case involving a scrap dealer. Data recovered from Krishanu’s devices is said to show how he acted as a link between senior officers, helping them get transfers, cancel FIRs, and influence police investigations for money.
During interrogation, the CBI also obtained the names of 14 officials, 10 IPS and four IAS officers, who allegedly invested in real estate through Patiala-based property dealer Bhupinder Singh. The agency later raided Bhupinder’s premises in Patiala and Ludhiana and seized several documents related to benami properties.
Of the 10 IPS officers named, eight are said to be currently serving in field postings, while two are attached to the Punjab Police Academy. The four IAS officers have reported links to Mandi Gobindgarh.
With the ED now taking charge of the property records and financial evidence, the focus of the investigation has shifted towards tracing the money trail. Officials believe the ED’s findings could expose a larger network of officers involved in illegal property investments and corruption.
Middleman Krishanu Sharda, who was earlier on a four-day CBI remand, was sent to judicial custody on Monday. He was seen limping while being taken to court, following which his lawyer sought a medical check-up for him. His next court appearance is also scheduled for November 20.