Punjab DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar Suspended Following CBI Arrest in Rs 8 Lakh Bribery Case

Punjab Deputy Inspector General of Police (Ropar Range) Harcharan Singh Bhullar has been suspended following his arrest by the CBI in a bribery case, according to an order from the state government.

Bhullar was arrested on Thursday in a corruption case involving a bribe of Rs 8 lakh. The senior IPS officer was apprehended at his Mohali office after a complaint from a Fatehgarh Sahib-based scrap dealer who accused him of demanding monthly payments to "settle" a 2023 FIR.

A CBI court in Chandigarh remanded Bhullar to judicial custody on Friday.

The Punjab Home Affairs department order issued Saturday cited Rule 3(2) of the All India Services (Discipline & Appeal) Rules, which states that a service member detained in official custody for longer than 48 hours is deemed suspended. Consequently, "Harcharan Singh Bhullar, IPS is hereby deemed to be suspended with effect from 16.10.2025, as 48 hours have lapsed since his arrest."

Bhullar faces charges under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

During searches at his residence, the CBI discovered Rs 7.50 crore in cash and 2.50 kg of gold jewelry. Investigators also seized 26 luxury watches (including Rolex and Rado brands), documents for over 50 immovable properties held by family members and suspected benami entities, locker keys, multiple bank account details, and four firearms with 100 live cartridges.

At Bhullar's farmhouse in Samrala, authorities found 108 liquor bottles, Rs 15.70 lakh in cash, and 17 live cartridges.

A middleman identified as Kirshanu was also arrested, with Rs 21 lakh recovered from him.

According to the CBI's FIR, complainant Akash Batta alleged that DIG Bhullar demanded illegal gratification through his middleman to settle the 2023 FIR registered in Sirhind against him and to prevent further police action against his scrap business.

The complainant further claimed Bhullar demanded recurring monthly payments, called "sewa-paani," and threatened to falsely implicate him in business-related criminal cases if he didn't comply.

Verification confirmed that Bhullar, via his middleman, demanded Rs 8 lakh from Batta for "settling" the FIR and ensuring no further police action against his business.

Bhullar was appointed DIG of Ropar Range in November 2024, overseeing Mohali, Rupnagar, and Fatehgarh Sahib districts.

Harcharan Singh Bhullar is the son of former Punjab director general of police M S Bhullar.