The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar, a 2009-batch Indian Police Service officer posted in Ropar Range, Punjab, in a corruption case. Bhullar was accused of demanding ₹8 lakh as a bribe to “settle” a criminal case against a local businessman.

The investigation revealed massive unexplained wealth, including ₹5 crore in cash, luxury vehicles, 22 high-end watches, gold jewellery, and imported liquor. Bhullar was arrested along with Krishna, a private individual acting as his middleman.

How the case unfolded

The case began after a written complaint by scrap dealer Akash Batta from Fatehgarh Sahib, Punjab. According to the complaint, Bhullar threatened to implicate him in a false case unless he paid the initial ₹8 lakh bribe, followed by recurring monthly payments.

The CBI’s FIR states that Krishna repeatedly pressured Batta to make the payments. In one intercepted call, Krishna allegedly said:
"The August payment was not paid, the September payment was not paid."

The agency set a trap in Chandigarh’s Sector 21, where Krishna was caught red-handed accepting ₹8 lakh on behalf of Bhullar. Following a controlled call between Batta and the DIG, Bhullar acknowledged receiving the payment and asked both men to visit his office.

After the arrests, the CBI conducted searches at multiple properties linked to Bhullar in Ropar, Mohali, and Chandigarh. Recovered items include:

  • Approximately ₹5 crore in cash (counting ongoing)

  • 1.5 kg of gold and jewellery

  • Documents of immovable properties across Punjab

  • Keys of Mercedes and Audi cars

  • 22 high-end wristwatches

  • Locker keys and 40 litres of imported liquor

  • Firearms and ammunition, including a double-barrel shotgun, pistol, revolver, and airgun

From Krishna’s residence, the CBI recovered an additional ₹21 lakh in cash. Both Bhullar and Krishna are set to be produced in court on Friday.

Bhullar has held several key positions, including DIG of Patiala Range, Joint Director of Vigilance Bureau, and SSP in multiple districts. He also led a Special Investigation Team probing a high-profile drug trafficking case against SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia in 2021 and played a prominent role in Punjab’s anti-drug campaign ‘Yudh Nasheyan Virudh’.

He assumed charge as DIG, Ropar Range, in November 2024, overseeing Mohali, Rupnagar, and Fatehgarh Sahib districts. Bhullar is the son of former Punjab DGP MS Bhullar.