Punjab Police Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Harcharan Singh Bhullar has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for accepting an illegal bribe of ₹8 lakh from a scrap dealer to settle a police case in his favour. The CBI arrested Bhullar after it laid a trap in Chandigarh, where it nabbed Bhullar's middleman caught red-handed accepting bribe money.
What the FIR states
The FIR was registered on 16 October, 2025, on a complaint filed by Akash Batta, a scrap businessman in Fatehgarh Sahib district based in Mandi Gobindgarh. Batta alleged that DIG Bhullar, with the assistance of an aide named Kirshanu, had demanded ₹8 lakh to settle an FIR lodged in 2023 at Sirhind Police Station.
According to the FIR report Bhullar even threatened to register fake cases if the bribe was not paid, and asked for monthly payments to keep Batta's scrap business harassment-free from the police.
The complaint explained how Kirshanu initially demanded a token and subsequently communicated monthly bribe demands from the DIG. A recorded WhatsApp call verified Bhullar's orders to gather this illegal funds.
How Bhullar got arrested
Upon receiving the complaint, the CBI checked the facts and set up a sting operation. On October 11, 2025, Kirshanu was trapped while taking ₹8 lakh as bribe money in Chandigarh's Sector 21 market. A controlled call was also placed to DIG Bhullar, who accepted the payment and asked the complainant and middleman to come to his office in Mohali. The CBI then detained Bhullar from his Mohali office.
Seizure and further probe
Besides the arrest, CBI searches at Bhullar's home and offices resulted in seizure of cash valued at approximately ₹5 crore, gold jewellery weighing 1.5 kg, luxury vehicles (Mercedes and Audi), 22 luxurious watches, weapons, liquor, property records, and locker keys. These properties point towards a huge amassing of unexplained riches.
Bhullar, an IPS officer of the 2009 batch, has held important positions like SSP Mohali and DIG Patiala Range prior to his present posting in Ropar Range since November 2024.
Background and charges
The pending case against Akash Batta had charged illegal acceptance of counterfeit bills in his scrap business. Though the case was registered in 2023, no chargesheet was finally filed. Bhullar's bribe demand was to withdraw this case and put an end to further police meddling.
The charges against Bhullar are criminal conspiracy, demand of undue advantage by a public servant, and accepting illegal gratification under appropriate laws such as the Prevention of Corruption Act.
This case reflects a keen anti-corruption stand and application of stringent investigative practices by the CBI to secure police accountability and justice to citizens. Bhullar and his assistant will be brought to court for further proceedings while investigations are ongoing.
