Rs 7.5 crore, 2.5 kg gold, 50 immovable properties: CBI’s massive haul from Punjab DIG Bhullar’s residence

In one of the biggest corruption crackdowns in Punjab Police’s ranks, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has unearthed a staggering trail of cash, gold, luxury watches, liquor, firearms, and property papers during searches at the premises of arrested DIG (Ropar Range) Harcharan Singh Bhullar, a 2009-batch IPS officer, and his associate, middleman Kirshanu Sharda.

Searches carried out at multiple locations in Chandigarh and Punjab following their arrest on Thursday evening led to the recovery of Rs 7.5 crore in cash, 2.5 kg of gold jewellery, 26 luxury watches (including Rolex and Rado), four firearms with 100 live cartridges, and documents related to over 50 immovable properties allegedly held in the names of Bhullar’s family members and suspected benami entities.

CBI teams also seized locker keys, details of several bank accounts, and Rs 5.7 lakh in cash, along with 108 liquor bottles and 17 live cartridges, from Bhullar’s farmhouse in Samrala near Ludhiana. From the residence of the alleged middleman Kirshanu Sharda, Rs 21 lakh in cash and several incriminating documents were seized.

Both Bhullar and Sharda were remanded to judicial custody till October 31. According to CBI’s case, registered under Section 61(2) of the BNS and Sections 7 and 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, DIG Bhullar had allegedly demanded a bribe of ₹4 lakh and monthly illegal gratification through Sharda for “settling” an FIR registered against a complainant. The verification process revealed that the demand had later escalated to Rs 8 lakh.

Both Bhullar and Sharda were arrested around 8 pm on October 16 in Chandigarh in the presence of independent witnesses. CBI said all mandatory legal formalities were followed, and their medical examination was conducted at Government Multi-Specialty Hospital, Sector 16, Chandigarh. Family members were informed of the arrests.

A CBI team had earlier laid a trap the same day after verifying the bribery demand. Sharda was caught red-handed while accepting Rs 5 lakh, part of the total Rs 8 lakh, from the complainant on behalf of Bhullar. The tainted bribe money was recovered from his possession in the presence of witnesses. During the trap, Sharda allegedly confessed that he was collecting the money under Bhullar’s instructions. A subsequent controlled call between the two was recorded, in which Bhullar acknowledged receipt of the Rs 3.5 lakh and asked Sharda to bring the complainant and the remaining bribe amount to his office.

Also read: “8 fadne ne 8'': Damning WhatsApp call recording that 'captures' Punjab DIG ordering middleman to collect 'bribe'

CBI arrests Punjab DIG Bhullar in graft case; Rs 5 cr cash, 1.5 kg gold recovered

Kirshanu Sharda, arrested red-handed while accepting Rs 8 lakh bribe for Punjab DIG Bhullar, played hockey for Chandigarh

DEMANDED MONTHLY PAYOFFS

During verification on October 11 at the Sector 9-D market in Chandigarh, CBI recorded a WhatsApp call in which Bhullar allegedly directed Sharda to collect Rs 8 lakh, saying, “8 fadne ne 8” and “Jinna denda nal nal fadi chal, ohnu kehde 8 kar de pura”. Sharda later told the complainant, “Edda kehna pata ki hai... kehnda hai August da ni aaya, September da ni aaya,” implying that the DIG was demanding monthly payments.

The mobile number used in the call was verified as belonging to DIG Bhullar. The recorded conversation and verification established the bribery demand, leading to the registration of the CBI case.

CBI APPREHENDS INFLUENCE, TAMPERING

CBI has expressed strong apprehensions that, being a senior police officer, Bhullar may influence or intimidate witnesses, tamper with or destroy crucial evidence, or otherwise obstruct the fair and impartial course of the investigation if released.

“Investigation is at a crucial and nascent stage. Several material witnesses remain to be examined, and the process of verifying documentary and financial evidence is ongoing,” the federal agency said, adding that the searches are part of the ongoing investigation aimed at uncovering the full extent of the alleged corruption and misconduct.

BACKGROUND

The case was registered on October 16 by CBI’s Anti-Corruption Branch in Chandigarh, based on a written complaint dated October 11 by Akash Batta. The complaint was followed by verification, which confirmed that DIG Bhullar, through his middleman, had demanded bribes and monthly payoffs for not taking coercive police action against the complainant’s business.

Both accused were produced before the CBI Special Judge in Chandigarh, the agency sought 14-day judicial custody, which was granted by the court.

“Totally wrong allegations were levelled against me and I am being framed. The court will do complete justice and (we) will keep all aspects before the court.” — HS BHULLAR