By: The Trek News Desk
In a major development that has shaken Punjab’s law enforcement circles, Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police, Ropar Range, Harcharan Singh Bhullar, has been remanded to 14 days of judicial custody by a special CBI court in Chandigarh. The 2009-batch IPS officer was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a bribery case involving large sums of unaccounted money, gold, and luxury assets.
Judicial Custody After Court Appearance
Bhullar was produced before Special Judge Sushil Kumar Garg following a medical check-up. He accompanied Co-accused and alleged middleman Krishanu Sharda was accompanied, both escorted under heavy security. Bhullar initially appeared with his face covered, which the judge ordered him to uncover before proceedings began.
CBI officials informed the court that they had concluded their initial round of questioning and did not seek further police custody. Bhullar’s counsel, Advocate H.S. Dhanoa, argued that his client was being falsely implicated and highlighted his medical needs, requesting access to prescribed medication. The court accepted the plea and directed jail authorities to ensure the necessary treatment. Both Bhullar and Sharda will now remain in judicial custody at Burail Jail until October 31.
The Sting That Triggered It All
The case against Bhullar came to light after a sting operation on Thursday, during which alleged intermediary Krishanu Sharda was caught red-handed accepting an ₹8 lakh bribe from Mandi Gobindgarh-based scrap trader Akash Batra. According to Batra’s complaint, filed with the CBI on October 11, Bhullar was demanding ₹5 lakh per month as “sewa-pani” (a euphemism for protection money) in return for dropping a 2023 FIR registered at the Sirhind police station and for allowing uninterrupted business operations.
Massive Raids Reveal Hidden Wealth
Following the arrests, CBI teams launched an extensive 21-hour raid at Bhullar’s residence in Sector 40, Chandigarh, as well as other properties across Punjab. The scale of the recoveries shocked investigators and observers alike:
- Over ₹5 crore in cash (with some estimates placing it closer to ₹7.5 crore)
- 1.5 kg of gold jewellery valued at approximately ₹1.9 crore
- Documents for more than 15 immovable properties
- Keys to high-end vehicles, including a Mercedes and an Audi
- 22 expensive luxury watches
- 40 litres of imported liquor
- Multiple firearms, including a double-barrel shotgun, revolver, pistol, and ammunition
The recovered cash was found neatly stashed in ₹500 denomination notes inside suitcases and bags.
A Senior Officer Under Scrutiny
DIG Bhullar is no stranger to high-profile assignments. He previously served as DIG Patiala Range, Joint Director of the Punjab Vigilance Bureau, and as Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) in key districts including Mohali, Sangrur, and Hoshiarpur. Most notably, he was part of the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that probed the high-stakes drug trafficking case involving Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia.
His arrest has sent shockwaves through the state police, raising serious questions about internal accountability and the misuse of authority within the force.
Official Reactions and Ongoing Investigations
Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria called the case a “stark reminder of the need for greater accountability and transparency within the police system.”
CBI officials have confirmed that the investigation is ongoing and that a supplementary chargesheet could be filed soon. A forensic audit of the seized assets is also underway to trace the full extent of the illicit wealth.
“I have full faith in the judiciary. The truth will come out, and we’ll respond to every allegation,” Bhullar told reporters as he exited the courtroom, dismissing the charges as “false” and “politically motivated.”
As the probe deepens, this case is expected to remain in the spotlight, not only for its dramatic arrests and massive cash haul but also for the larger questions it raises about corruption at the highest levels of public service.
Source: News Agencies
