Chandigarh CBI court sends Punjab DIG Harcharan Bhullar to 14-day judicial custody in corruption case

A CBI court in Chandigarh on Friday sent Punjab Deputy Inspector General of Police (Ropar Range) Harcharan Singh Bhullar to a 14-day judicial custody following his arrest in a high-profile corruption case.

Bhullar, along with a middleman named Kirshanu Sharda, was arrested on Thursday for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 8 lakh from a scrap dealer to settle a 2023 FIR.

The arrest came after a scrap dealer from Mandi Gobindgarh filed a complaint alleging that DIG Bhullar demanded monthly bribes—referred to as "sewa-paani"—in exchange for settling a 2023 FIR against him and ensuring no further police action on his business.

Following the arrests, the CBI raided Bhullar's residence in Sector 40, Chandigarh, where they seized approximately Rs 5 crore in cash, 1.5 kg of gold jewellery, documents related to immovable properties, keys to two luxury vehicles, 22 luxury watches, locker keys, 40 litres of imported liquor, and several firearms with ammunition.

According to the FIR, Bhullar allegedly instructed his middleman to collect Rs 8 lakh from the complainant through a recorded WhatsApp call. The number used was verified as belonging to the DIG. The FIR states that these findings provide prima facie evidence under Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and Sections 7 and 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

Bhullar, son of former Punjab DGP M.S. Bhullar, has served in several key positions, including DIG (Patiala Range), Joint Director of the Vigilance Bureau, and SSP in multiple districts.

He also headed a Special Investigation Team in the high-profile drug case against Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia and was active in Punjab’s anti-drug campaign, 'Yudh Nashian Virudh'.