CBI seizes ₹5 crore cash and gold from Punjab DIG’s residence, orders note-counting machine

Chandigarh (The Uttam Hindu) - The CBI has arrested Harcharan Singh Bhullar, DIG of the Ropar Range of the Punjab Police, red-handed while accepting a bribe of ₹5 lakh. It is alleged that he demanded the bribe from a scrap dealer in Mandi Gobindgarh. On Thursday, a joint CBI team from Delhi and Chandigarh laid a trap and apprehended him at his office in Mohali.

According to sources, a 52-member CBI team conducted several hours of searches at Bhullar's office in Mohali and his luxurious home in Sector 40, Chandigarh. During this search, approximately ₹1 crore in cash was found, packed in three bags and a briefcase. Machines had to be brought in to count the notes. Gold and silver jewelry and important documents were also recovered. According to updates received so far, ₹5 crore in cash has been recovered from him.

Bhullar is currently being interrogated at a secret location. CBI sources said that the complainant, a scrap dealer, had filed a complaint on October 11th alleging that the DIG had sent a middleman, Krishanu, to demand a bribe. The CBI first apprehended Krishanu and, based on his statement, trapped the DIG. The CBI plans to present Bhullar before the Mohali CBI court on Friday and seek his remand. The agency is also investigating whether other police officers or political figures were involved in this entire network.

DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar is a 2007 batch IPS officer. His father, Mahal Singh Bhullar, served as the Director General of Police (DGP) of Punjab, while his brother, Kuldeep Singh Bhullar, is a former Congress MLA. Bhullar was appointed DIG of the Ropar Range on November 27, 2024. This action has caused a stir within the Punjab Police Department. This case is considered one of the CBI's largest operations to date to investigate corruption within the Punjab police system.