CBI arrests Punjab Police DIG in a bribery case

The CBI on Thursday arrested one DIG of Punjab Police. Harcharan Singh Bhullar, Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIG) of Ropar range, was caught red-handed by the CBI accepting a bribe of Rs 8 lakh from a complainant. The complainant alleged that Bhullar had demanded Rs 8 lakh to settle a claim. The CBI's action followed a complaint by a scrap dealer from Fatehgarh. Ropar Range comprises Mohali, Rupnagar and Fatehgarh Sahib districts. The agency has been conducting surveillance for the past 10 days to arrest officers involved in accepting bribe. As per official statement, the CBI laid a trap and caught the private individual red-handed while demanding and accepting Rs 8 lakh from the complainant on behalf of the DIG at Sector 21, Chandigarh. During the trap proceedings, a controlled call was made to the public servant, during which he acknowledged the payment and directed the middleman and complainant to come to his office. Subsequently, the CBI team apprehended the public servant from his office and arrested both accused in Chandigarh.
Bhullar, who assumed charge as Ropar Range DIG in November 2024 is the son of former Punjab director general of police (DGP) Mehal Singh Bhullar. A Punjab Police Service (PPS) officer at the entry level, he was later inducted into the Indian Police Service (IPS), and awarded 2009 batch. He also headed the Special Investigation Team (SIT) that interrogated Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia in connection with drug smuggling allegations. Bhullar played a key role in the 'Yudh Nasheyan Virudh' anti-drug campaign. Ropar Range comprises Mohali, Rupnagar and Fatehgarh Sahib districts. The CBI also conducted searches at three locations linked to DIG Bhullar, including his office, residence, and another site.During searches at various premises linked to the public servant in Punjab and Chandigarh, the CBI recovered substantial cash and incriminating material, including:
•Cash of approximately Rs 5 crore (and counting)
•Jewellery weighing about 1.5 kg
•Documents pertaining to immovable properties and assets in Punjab
•Keys of two luxury vehicles (Mercedes and Audi)
•22 luxury watches
•Locker Keys
•40 litre of imported liquor bottles
•Fire Arms-1 double barrel gun, 1 Pistol, 1 Revolver, 1 Airgun, along with ammunition
Recovery from the middleman:-
•Cash of Rs21 lakh 

#CBI on Thursday arrested one DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar of Punjab Police in a bribery case involving Rs 8. During search substantial cash and incriminating material, including Rs 5 crore cash recovered.@IDvashisth pic.twitter.com/MmiY8QBGFv

— newsinc24 (@newsinc24) October 16, 2025

(Freelance Journalist)