CBI Arrests Punjab DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar in ₹8 Lakh Bribery Case; Seizes ₹5 Crore Cash, Luxury Watches and Vehicles:

In a major crackdown on corruption, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday, October 16, 2025, arrested a senior Indian Police Service (IPS) officer posted as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Punjab. The officer, identified as Harcharan Singh Bhullar from the 2009 IPS batch, was apprehended along with a private individual in a high-profile bribery case. According to a statement released by the CBI, the case was registered the same day, following allegations that DIG Bhullar demanded a bribe of ₹8 lakh from a complainant. The bribe was allegedly sought in exchange for "settling" a First Information Report (FIR) lodged against the complainant, and for ensuring that no further coercive or adverse police action would be taken against his business. The officer was also reportedly seeking recurring monthly illegal payments through a middleman. The CBI operation led to the arrest of the private individual who was caught red-handed while accepting the ₹8 lakh bribe on behalf of DIG Bhullar in Chandigarh. The arrest confirmed suspicions of the officer’s direct involvement in the corrupt dealings. Subsequent searches were conducted at multiple premises linked to the IPS officer in Punjab and Chandigarh. The CBI unearthed a staggering amount of unaccounted wealth and luxury assets. Among the items seized were approximately ₹5 crore in cash, documents related to multiple immovable properties, 1.5 kilograms of gold jewellery, and keys to two luxury vehicles — a Mercedes and an Audi. Additionally, the officials recovered 22 luxury watches, locker keys, around 40 litres of imported liquor, and a cache of firearms that included a double-barrel gun, a pistol, a revolver, and an air gun along with ammunition. “This arrest is part of our continued efforts to eliminate corruption at all levels of public service,” the CBI stated. “Both the public servant and his associate have been taken into custody and will be presented before a designated court on October 17. The investigation is still underway.” The arrest of such a high-ranking police officer has sent shockwaves across the state and raised serious concerns over the misuse of power within law enforcement agencies. Harcharan Singh Bhullar, as DIG of the Ropar Range in Punjab, held a position of considerable authority, and the revelations have sparked demands for stricter scrutiny of police officials involved in criminal or unethical activities. As the investigation progresses, further disclosures are expected. The CBI continues to carry out raids and inquiries to trace the full extent of assets and identify any additional individuals who may have been complicit in the bribery network.

NEWS