CHANDIGARH: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on October 23, 2025 carried out a second round of searches at the residence of suspended Punjab Deputy Inspector General of Police (Ropar Range) Harcharan Singh Bhullar, who was arrested on bribery charges last week, officials said.
The fresh operation at Bhullar’s Sector 40 residence came amid reports that he was not cooperating with the agency. According to CBI officials, Bhullar is suspected of owning multiple properties abroad, including flats in Dubai and Canada. In addition, the agency has traced large land holdings and several commercial properties in Ludhiana and Machhiwara. The CBI suspects that these assets may have been acquired through undisclosed means during his tenure.
According to sources, CBI has uncovered 2 flats in Dubai and 3 in Canada, along with 20 shops and 55 acres of land in Ludhiana related to Bhullar. During his duty, Bhullar reportedly travelled to Dubai nearly 10 times. His passport has been seized by the CBI.
Notably, he was arrested by the CBI and has been remanded to judicial custody till October 31 by the CBI court in Chandigarh. He was taken into custody by CBI after being caught for allegedly demanding a bribe of Rs 8 lakh through a private middleman to “settle” a police case and protect a businessman’s interests.
A 2009-batch IPS officer, currently posted as DIG of the Ropar Range, was arrested by the CBI at his office in Chandigarh. The CBI has recovered substantial cash, over Rs 7.5 crore and incriminating material from his various premises, besides 2 kilograms of jewellery, documents pertaining to immovable properties and assets in Punjab. Luxury items, arms, and ammunition have also been recovered.
CBI registered a corruption case against Bhullar. The FIR, was filed by the CBI Anti-Corruption Branch (ACB), Chandigarh, under Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) 2023 and Sections 7 and 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The complaint, received on October 11, was lodged by Akash Batta, a resident of Mandi Gobindgarh, District Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab. Batta alleged that DIG Bhullar, through his aide Kirshanu, demanded illegal gratification to “settle” FIR registered at Police Station Sirhind, and to ensure that no coercive action was taken against his scrap business.
According to the CBI, the officer also demanded recurring monthly payments, colloquially referred to as “sewa-paani”, and allegedly threatened to falsely implicate the complainant in criminal cases if he failed to comply.
During verification by Sub-Inspector Sachin Singh of CBI’s ACB, a recorded WhatsApp call between the middleman and DIG Bhullar on October 11 at Sector 9-D Market, Chandigarh, captured Bhullar instructing his aide to collect Rs 8 lakh from the complainant. The number used in the conversation was verified to be registered in the name of DIG Bhullar. The CBI verification confirmed the demand and agreement for illegal gratification.
Meanwhile, Rs 21 lakh cash was also recovered from the middleman. Both accused were arrested.
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