Senior IPS Officer Arrested in Rs 5 Crore Corruption Scandal: CBI Seizes Cash, Luxury Assets in Punjab

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested a high-ranking Indian Police Service (IPS) officer serving as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Ropar Range in Punjab on corruption charges. The case has unveiled extraordinary evidence of unexplained wealth.

Harcharan Singh Bhullar, a 2009-batch IPS officer, was apprehended alongside his alleged middleman, Krishna. According to CBI officials, Bhullar was caught demanding and accepting bribes through this intermediary to resolve a criminal case against a local businessman, while also soliciting regular monthly payments.

The investigation began when Akash Batta, a scrap dealer from Punjab's Fatehgarh Sahib, filed a written complaint. He alleged that DIG Bhullar had threatened to fabricate a case against his business unless he paid an initial bribe of Rs 8 lakh, followed by recurring monthly "settlement" payments.

The CBI's First Information Report (FIR) states that Bhullar instructed payments to be channeled through Krishna, who repeatedly pressured the complainant. In one recorded conversation, Krishna was heard saying, "The August payment was not paid, the September payment was not paid."

Following verification of the allegations, the CBI organized a sting operation in Chandigarh's Sector 21. Krishna was caught accepting Rs 8 lakh from the complainant on behalf of the DIG. Subsequently, investigators arranged a controlled call between the complainant and Bhullar, during which the officer acknowledged receiving the payment and instructed both individuals to meet him at his office.

Based on this evidence, the CBI located DIG Bhullar at his Mohali office and arrested both suspects.

The CBI then conducted thorough searches at multiple locations connected to Bhullar in Ropar, Mohali, and Chandigarh. The recoveries were substantial and included approximately Rs 5 crore in cash, 1.5 kg of gold and jewelry, property documents across Punjab, keys to luxury vehicles including a Mercedes and an Audi, 22 high-end wristwatches, locker keys, 40 liters of imported liquor, and various firearms with ammunition.

An additional Rs 21 lakh in cash was found at Krishna's residence. Both individuals are scheduled to appear in court, with ongoing investigations to determine the full extent of their assets and potential money laundering connections.

Throughout his career, Bhullar has held numerous significant positions, including DIG of Patiala Range, Joint Director of the Vigilance Bureau, and Senior Superintendent of Police in multiple districts. In 2021, he led a Special Investigation Team examining a major drug trafficking case involving a prominent political figure. He also played a key role in Punjab's anti-drug initiative aimed at dismantling narcotics networks across the state.

Bhullar assumed his position as DIG of Ropar Range in November 2024, with oversight of Mohali, Rupnagar, and Fatehgarh Sahib districts. He is the son of former Punjab Director General of Police MS Bhullar.