A high-ranking Punjab IPS officer, Deputy Inspector General Harcharan Singh Bhullar, has been taken into custody by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on suspicion of demanding regular monthly bribes from a businessman in Fatehgarh Sahib.
The CBI apprehended Bhullar in his Mohali office while he was allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹8 lakh, as per an FIR filed in the case. Officials reported that following the arrest, the CBI shared visuals of bags filled with cash and jewelry. The agency stated that over ₹5 crore in cash was confiscated from the officer’s possession, and the counting process was still ongoing. Additionally, approximately 1.5 kilograms of jewelry were also seized.
The FIR indicates that the complaint originated from Akash Batta, a scrap businessman from Fatehgarh Sahib. Batta alleged that Bhullar, who serves as the DIG of the Ropar Range, had demanded bribes through his aide, Kirshanu. The complaint detailed that Bhullar sought ₹8 lakh from Batta to resolve FIR No. 155/2023 and ensure no further action was taken against his scrap business.
A WhatsApp conversation recovered during the investigation reportedly corroborates Batta’s complaint. In a recorded call, Bhullar is heard instructing his aide, Kirshanu, to collect ₹8 lakh, or whatever amount was currently available, from the complainant. The conversation also suggested that Bhullar was demanding monthly bribes, as Kirshanu allegedly told Batta that payments for August and September had not been received.
The mobile number used in the WhatsApp call was reportedly verified to be registered under DIG Bhullar’s name, further strengthening the evidence against him. Harcharan Singh Bhullar, son of former Punjab DGP Mehal Singh Bhullar, had previously served as the DIG of Patiala Range and was involved in the state government’s anti-drug campaigns. He also led the special investigation team that questioned SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia regarding drug smuggling charges.