Punjab’s Deputy Inspector General (DIG), Harcharan Singh Bhullar, has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with an alleged bribe demand of ₹8 lakh from a scrap dealer. This arrest marks a significant turn in the career of an officer who had a notably smooth and privileged ascent within the Punjab Police force, reportedly bolstered by his father’s influential legacy as a former DGP, along with strong political connections.
Bhullar, currently serving in the Ropar range, entered the Punjab Police as a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in 1993. This was a special appointment made during the tenure of Chief Minister Beant Singh, under what were described as “special provisions.” Typically, DSPs are recruited either through the Punjab Public Service Commission (PPSC) competitive exams or via internal promotion. His father, Mehal Singh Bhullar, was an Inspector General (IG) at the time and was known to be close to the Congress leadership, eventually rising to the rank of Director General of Police (DGP).
Harcharan’s recruitment was widely seen as a reflection of his father’s perceived contributions during the peak of terrorism in Punjab. This early advantage seemed to set the stage for a career characterized by coveted postings, swift promotions, and maintained good relations with successive political regimes.
Remarkably, less than ten years after his special recruitment, Bhullar was promoted to Superintendent of Police (SP) in 2001. Even before this official promotion, he held the post of SP in Mohali while still a DSP. This unusual placement, occurring when his father was the state police chief, reportedly raised many eyebrows.
Over the years, Bhullar climbed the ranks to Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), leading district police forces in Barnala, Jagraon, Fatehgarh Sahib, Gurdaspur, Ropar, and Mohali. Colleagues often described him as both effective and “pliable,” qualities that reportedly facilitated his close ties with governments led by the Congress, Shiromani Akali Dal, and most recently, the Aam Aadmi Party.
During his time as DSP in Dera Bassi, Bhullar faced allegations of harassment by a woman, which led to a Punjab and Haryana High Court order restricting his entry into the Ropar district.
He achieved the rank of DIG in 2023, serving in various capacities including Zonal DIG Patiala and Law and Order, before his latest posting in Ropar. He also headed the special investigation team (SIT) tasked with probing a drug smuggling case involving SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia.
Bhullar, whose younger brother Kuldeep Singh Bhullar is a political figure in Patiala with the Congress party, was slated for promotion to Inspector General (IG) the following year. His career was projected to continue until his retirement in October 2026.
The recent arrest by a central agency for graft charges marks a dramatic downturn in Bhullar’s 32-year career. This incident is a rare instance of a senior Punjab Police officer facing such accusations, concluding a career path that was significantly shaped by familial legacy and political patronage.