CBI Uncovers Rs 7.5 Crore Cash in IPS Officer Bribery Case During Punjab and Chandigarh Raids

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) executed widespread searches throughout Punjab and Chandigarh on Friday in relation to a bribery case involving a senior Punjab Police official.

Harcharan Singh Bhullar, a 2009-batch IPS officer serving as DIG Ropar Range, was previously apprehended allegedly soliciting and receiving a bribe through an intermediary from a businessman to "settle" an FIR.

Following this, the CBI conducted raids at several locations connected to the accused officer and his associate.

During these searches, authorities discovered Rs 7.5 crore in cash at the DIG's Chandigarh residence, alongside 2.5 kg of gold jewelry, 26 luxury watches, and documentation for over 50 immovable properties believed to be registered under family members' names and undisclosed entities.

Investigators also seized locker keys, information regarding multiple bank accounts, and four firearms with 100 live cartridges.

At the officer's farmhouse in Samrala, officials recovered Rs 5.7 lakh in cash, 108 bottles of liquor, and 17 live cartridges.

From the alleged intermediary's residence, the CBI confiscated Rs 21 lakh in cash along with various documents.

CBI representatives stated that this operation forms part of an ongoing investigation to reveal the complete scope of the alleged corruption, wealth accumulation, and abuse of official position by the high-ranking police officer.

Both the DIG and his associate appeared before the CBI Court in Chandigarh on Friday.

The court ordered both accused to 14 days of judicial custody. Officials indicated that further analysis of financial trails and property verification continues to identify potential connections to other individuals or shell entities involved in the case.