CBI books Punjab DIG HS Bhullar in fresh case for amassing disproportionate assets

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a fresh case against arrested Punjab IPS officer Harcharan Singh Bhullar for allegedly amassing disproportionate assets running into several crores, far beyond his known sources of income.

The registration of this second case follows a detailed written complaint dated October 29 by CBI Inspector Sonal Mishra, who cited the recovery of massive undeclared wealth from Bhullar’s residence during searches earlier this month.

According to the new FIR registered by the CBI’s Anti-Corruption Branch in Chandigarh on Wednesday, Bhullar, who was Ropar Range DIG when arrested, booked Bhullar under Section 13(2), read with Section 13(1)(b) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The provision deals with criminal misconduct by a public servant for possessing assets disproportionate to lawful income.

Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), pertaining to criminal conspiracy and related offences, has also been slapped against him.

The case has been entrusted to CBI Inspector Kuldeep Singh for investigation.

The complaint states that in continuation of the earlier bribery case dated October 16, the CBI searched Bhullar’s residence in Sector 40-B of Chandigarh following his arrest.

During the operation, investigators recovered ₹7,36,90,000 in cash, of which ₹7,36,50,000 was seized, along with gold and silver items valued at ₹2,32,07,686, and 26 luxury branded watches.

Documents relating to multiple immovable properties were also seized, including his house in Sector 40-B, a flat in Sector 39 and land acquisition papers for around 150 acres spread across Mohali, Hoshiarpur and Ludhiana districts.

The complaint further details that Bhullar and his family members — wife Tejinder Kaur, son Gurpartap Singh and daughter Tejkiran Kaur — were found in possession of five vehicles, including a Mercedes, Audi, Innova and Fortuner.

Their five bank accounts and two fixed deposits together held around ₹2.95 crore as on October 17.

CBI sources said Bhullar’s declared income for the assessment year 2025-26 was ₹45.95 lakh, with net earnings after tax deductions amounting to only ₹32 lakh for the entire financial year 2024-25.

In sharp contrast, the assets unearthed during the probe indicated vast illicit accumulation far beyond his legitimate income.

The complaint concludes that Bhullar, in connivance with unknown others, “intentionally enriched himself illicitly during the period of his office” and failed to satisfactorily account for his assets.

The provisional “check period” has been fixed from August 1 to October 17, which may be extended as the investigation expands to trace additional properties and overseas assets.

The role of Bhullar’s family members and associates, who may have abetted him in acquiring the disproportionate wealth, is also under scrutiny, said the agency.

The CBI is expected to widen the scope of its probe to trace further movable and immovable assets in India and abroad allegedly acquired by Bhullar through ill-gotten means.

The fresh FIR comes just days after Bhullar’s arrest in a bribery case, in which he was caught allegedly demanding and accepting Rs 5 lakh through his alleged middleman Kirshanu Sharda, from a complainant, Akash Batta, for “settling” a case.