CBI seeks 12-day remand of middleman in DIG bribery case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has sought 12-day remand of Kirshanu Sharda, who was arrested along with suspended Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar in an alleged Rs 8 lakh bribery case.

The CBI filed the application before the Chandigarh CBI court today under Section 187 of the BNSS seeking Sharda’s police custody. The court has issued notices to the defence for October 28.

The court said Sharda’s production warrant be also issued to the Burail Jail Superintendent for his production before the court through video conferencing tomorrow.

The CBI had arrested Sharda while reportedly accepting a bribe of Rs 8 lakh, purportedly on behalf of DIG Bhullar on October 16.

As per the FIR, the police officer was allegedly seeking recurring monthly illegal payments from complainant Naresh Batta, a Mandi Gobindgarh scrap dealer, through Sharda.

Batta had claimed that Bhullar had demanded Rs 8 lakh in bribe through middleman Sharda to settle a 2023 FIR lodged at the Sirhind police station and to ensure no further coercive action was taken against him.

During initial searches on various premises linked to the public servant in Punjab and Chandigarh, the CBI seized substantial cash and incriminating material, including Rs 5 crore in cash, documents pertaining to immovable properties and assets in Punjab, 1.5 kg jewellery, keys to two luxury vehicles (Mercedes and Audi), 22 luxury watches, locker keys, 40 litres of imported liquor, firearms, among others.

Sources said the CBI had sought the remand to know the other details regarding the case.

Sharda, 30, is a key element in the case and is reportedly linked to several politicians and police officials. Sources said during the remand, the CBI might question Sharda on his links with other officers.