New Delhi
Troubles continue to mount for Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar, who was caught red-handed on bribery charges. A CBI raid at his residence led to the recovery of ₹5 crore in cash, 1.5 kilograms of gold, and a stockpile of weapons. The agency also found 22 luxury watches, keys to Mercedes and Audi cars, imported liquor, and multiple firearms. Investigations have further revealed that Bhullar has made substantial real estate investments in Chandigarh, Mohali, Ludhiana, and Solan, Himachal Pradesh.
On October 11, businessman Aakash Batta from Mandi Gobindgarh filed a written complaint at the CBI’s Chandigarh office. He alleged that DIG Bhullar demanded a bribe of ₹8 lakh to settle an old case registered against him. In addition, Bhullar allegedly sought a monthly “service fee” of ₹5 lakh as a regular payment. When the businessman refused to pay, the DIG reportedly threatened to implicate him in false cases and shut down his scrap business.
Frustrated, Batta approached the CBI for help. Acting swiftly, the agency organized a trap operation and began monitoring Bhullar’s movements. On October 11, the CBI recorded a WhatsApp call between the businessman and the DIG. In the recording, Bhullar was heard instructing his alleged aide, Krishnu, in Punjabi: “8 fadh le 8, jinna dena naal naal faddi chal… ohnu keh de 8 kar de poora” (Take 8, whatever he gives, take it together… tell him to make it 8 in full). This conversation served as conclusive proof of the bribery deal.
Following this, the CBI directed the complainant to hand over the first installment of the bribe. As soon as ₹5 lakh out of the ₹8 lakh was given to Krishnu, the CBI team raided Bhullar’s Mohali office and arrested him red-handed. Subsequent searches were carried out at Bhullar’s properties in Chandigarh, Ropar, and Mohali.
The findings from these raids left even senior CBI officials astonished.
