CBI arrests Punjab DIG in bribery case; seizes ₹5 crore cash, Mercedes, and luxury watches
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday arrested Punjab Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Harcharan Singh Bhullar on bribery charges. Bhullar, a 2009-batch IPS officer posted in Ropar Range, allegedly demanded an ₹8 lakh bribe and recurring monthly payments to “settle” an FIR against a businessman. The CBI also arrested a private individual who acted as Bhullar’s middleman in the deal.
According to the agency, the case began when the complainant reported that the DIG sought illegal gratification to prevent any adverse police action in his business matter. Acting on the complaint, the CBI registered a case on October 16 and laid a trap. Soon after, officers caught the private individual red-handed while accepting ₹8 lakh on Bhullar’s behalf in Chandigarh. The arrest confirmed the bribery link between the DIG and his associate.
Following the arrests, the CBI conducted searches at multiple premises linked to Bhullar in Punjab and Chandigarh. During the operation, officials found a massive stash of cash and luxury items. Investigators recovered around ₹5 crore in cash, property documents, and jewellery weighing about 1.5 kilograms. They also seized keys to two luxury vehicles—a Mercedes and an Audi—along with 22 high-end watches and several lockers.
Moreover, officers discovered 40 litres of imported liquor, a double-barrel gun, a pistol, a revolver, an air gun, and live ammunition. The agency described the recoveries as evidence of the officer’s disproportionate assets and ongoing financial dealings.
Meanwhile, CBI sources said the investigation aims to trace the full money trail and identify others possibly involved. Officials are verifying the ownership of the recovered properties and bank accounts linked to Bhullar and his family. The CBI also plans to examine whether the officer’s role extended beyond this case and if he used his position to influence other investigations.
By evening, both accused remained in CBI custody for questioning. The agency confirmed that they will be produced before a designated court on Friday, October 17. The CBI emphasized that the operation reflects its zero-tolerance approach to corruption within law enforcement.
This case adds to a series of recent crackdowns on senior police officers facing corruption allegations. Over the past year, the agency has intensified its focus on graft cases involving state police officials and bureaucrats. Bhullar’s arrest, given his senior rank, has sparked shock within Punjab’s police establishment.
The CBI stated that searches and further investigation are continuing. Officials hinted that more seizures or arrests could follow based on the evidence recovered so far. The case underscores how the agency is tightening its grip on corruption networks that exploit police powers for personal gain.
As the investigation progresses, Bhullar’s arrest has once again raised questions about accountability and ethics in law enforcement. For now, the CBI’s findings point to a widening probe into how a serving DIG allegedly turned his office into a hub for extortion and illegal gratification.
