The Punjab government on Saturday suspended DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar following his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a high-profile bribery case. Bhullar, a 2009-batch IPS officer serving as DIG of Ropar Range, was taken into custody along with his aide Krishnu Sharda on October 16.
Complaint and Arrest
The investigation began after a complaint by Aakash Batra, a scrap trader from Mandi Gobindgarh, who alleged that Bhullar and Sharda demanded bribes in exchange for protection from police action. According to CBI officials, WhatsApp audio recordings corroborate the complaint, with Bhullar allegedly instructing his aide to “collect eight lakh.” Investigators have also recovered two phones from Bhullar and Sharda containing extensive data. Sources indicate that the digital evidence could potentially implicate several other senior officers and influential individuals connected to the alleged bribery network.
During a trap operation in Sector 21, Chandigarh, Sharda was caught red-handed while accepting ₹8 lakh. Bhullar was arrested shortly afterward from his office in Mohali.
Raids and Recovery
Subsequent raids at Bhullar’s residences in Chandigarh and Samrala revealed:
₹7.5 crore in cash
2.5 kg of gold jewellery
26 luxury watches
Documents related to over 50 properties
Four firearms and over 100 live cartridges
Imported liquor
Officials noted that part of the cash and gold was concealed inside Bhullar’s Chandigarh residence, including under his bed. According to his 2024 property declaration, Bhullar had disclosed assets worth only ₹14 crore, significantly less than what was recovered. The CBI is now investigating the source of this wealth and possible benami holdings.
Connections and Other Officers
Sources say that Bhullar is very close to some other top officers, who are also under the CBI’s radar. The investigation is examining whether these officers may have any links to the alleged bribery network.
Judicial Custody
Both Bhullar and Sharda were presented before the Chandigarh Special CBI Court and sent to 14 days of judicial custody at Burail Jail. The CBI has widened its probe to trace the money trail and identify other individuals associated with the case.
Sensitive Case with Top-Level Oversight
Top sources describe the case as extremely sensitive, with future action likely dependent on directions from senior authorities in Delhi. Investigators are expected to scrutinize all recovered phones, digital data, and documents, which may reveal more high-profile names involved in the network.