Punjab’s Deputy Inspector General of Police (Ropar Range), Harcharan Singh Bhullar, was suspended by the Bhagwant Mann-led government a day after being remanded to 14-day judicial custody in a bribery case involving Rs 8 lakh. The senior officer’s suspension followed his arrest for allegedly accepting a bribe from a scrap dealer in exchange for settling a police case and ensuring no action was taken against the dealer’s business operations.
According to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Bhullar was caught red-handed while accepting the bribe on Friday. The agency’s intervention came after a detailed complaint filed on October 11, alleging that Bhullar, through his middleman named Krishanu, had demanded money to “settle” a pending FIR. The complaint further mentioned that Bhullar sought regular monthly payments, commonly referred to as “sewa-paani,” and even threatened to falsely implicate the complainant in criminal cases if these demands were not fulfilled.
Despite the evidence, Bhullar denied all allegations, claiming he was being falsely accused and framed. He stated that the charges levelled against him were “completely baseless” and motivated by personal malice. However, the CBI’s investigation revealed a series of incriminating communications, including a recorded WhatsApp call in which Bhullar allegedly directed Krishanu to collect Rs 8 lakh from the complainant. The number used in the call was verified to be registered in Bhullar’s name, confirming his direct involvement in the bribery demand.
On Thursday, the complainant was summoned to Bhullar’s Mohali office for the first instalment payment when CBI officials conducted a raid and caught the officer’s middleman in the act. Both Bhullar and Krishanu were arrested shortly afterward, and a formal case was registered under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Following the arrests, CBI officials carried out extensive raids at multiple properties linked to Bhullar across Punjab and Chandigarh. The searches led to the recovery of approximately Rs 7.5 crore in cash, jewellery weighing around 2.5 kilograms, and several luxury items. The investigators also found documents for over 15 properties registered in his name, along with keys to two luxury vehicles—a Mercedes and an Audi. Additionally, they seized 22 expensive watches, multiple locker keys, 40 litres of imported liquor, and several firearms, including a double-barrelled gun, a pistol, a revolver, and an airgun with ammunition.
The magnitude of the recoveries has intensified scrutiny over Bhullar’s activities, prompting the state government to suspend him pending further investigation. The case has drawn significant public attention due to the seniority of the officer involved and the scale of the assets unearthed during the probe.
