Fact News Service

Chandigarh, October 17: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has seized nearly ₹5 crore in cash, 1.5 kg of gold, several high-end cars, and other luxury assets from Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar, who has been arrested for allegedly accepting bribes.

Bhullar, serving as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Ropar range, was caught red-handed while taking ₹5 lakh from a scrap dealer in exchange for settling a case and ensuring no police action against the dealer’s business. The CBI trapped Bhullar at his Mohali office, where the complainant had been called to deliver the first instalment. A middleman named Kirshanu, allegedly working closely with the DIG, was also taken into custody.

Subsequent searches at Bhullar’s properties in Punjab and Chandigarh led to a massive recovery: documents linked to over 15 properties, keys to two luxury vehicles — a Mercedes and an Audi — 22 high-end watches, several locker keys, 40 litres of imported liquor, and multiple firearms including a double-barrel gun, a pistol, a revolver, and an airgun, all with ammunition.

According to the FIR accessed by India Today TV, the case began with a written complaint by Akash Batta of Mandi Gobindgarh, who alleged that Bhullar, through Kirshanu, demanded regular bribes and “monthly sewa-paani” payments, threatening to implicate him in false criminal cases if he refused.

The CBI said it had verified the allegations through a recorded WhatsApp call on October 11, 2025, in which Bhullar was heard directing Kirshanu to collect ₹8 lakh. To ensure neutrality and prevent interference, no Punjab Police personnel were involved in the CBI’s trap or subsequent searches.