Arrested in graft case, Punjab DIG Bhullar suspended

The Punjab Government has suspended Deputy Inspector General of Police Harcharan Singh Bhullar following his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a corruption case involving bribery of Rs 8 lakh.

According to an order issued by the state home department, Bhullar was arrested on October 16 under Sections 7 and 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The suspension order cited Rule 3(2) of the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, which mandates automatic suspension for any officer detained in official custody for more than 48 hours.

The complaint was lodged by a Fatehgarh Sahib-based scrap dealer, who accused the IPS officer of demanding bribe for settling a 2023 FIR.

During searches at Bhullar's residence, the CBI seized Rs 7.50 crore in cash and 2.50 kg of gold jewellery. It also recovered 26 luxury watches, documents pertaining to more than 50 immovable properties held in the names of family members and suspected benami entities.