CBI arrests Punjab DIG Bhullar for huge bribe haul
The CBI probe started after scrap dealer Akash Batta alleged DIG Bhullar demanded Rs 8 lakh bribe, threatening false charges.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Thursday made a stunning move by arresting Punjab’s senior IPS officer, DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar, in a high-profile corruption case that has revealed enormous amounts of unexplained wealth. The case has shaken the state’s law enforcement circles, highlighting how even senior officers entrusted with upholding the law can allegedly exploit their positions for personal gain.
According to CBI officials, during searches at Bhullar’s properties, the investigation team uncovered Rs 5 crore in cash, along with luxury cars, jewellery, and 22 expensive wristwatches. These findings suggest that the DIG, a 2009-batch officer serving as Deputy Inspector General of the Ropar Range, had amassed wealth far beyond his declared sources of income. Bhullar was arrested along with a man named Krishna, who reportedly acted as his middleman, helping collect bribes from people in exchange for resolving criminal cases in their favor.
The investigation was triggered by a complaint from Akash Batta, a scrap dealer from Fatehgarh Sahib. Batta alleged that DIG Bhullar had threatened to falsely implicate him in a case related to his business unless he paid a bribe of Rs 8 lakh upfront. In addition, Batta claimed that Bhullar had demanded monthly payments, a system Batta described as “sewa-paani,” to keep the matter quietly settled. Alarmed by these threats, Batta approached the CBI, which took the complaint seriously and initiated a formal probe.
“The complainant stated that Bhullar threatened to misuse his position to frame him unless he paid the bribe,” a senior CBI officer said. “Once the complaint was verified, a case was registered, and both Bhullar and his associate Krishna were arrested.”
CBI sources revealed that the case has grown beyond just the initial bribe demand. The wealth recovered from Bhullar’s properties indicated that he had likely been involved in a long-standing network of corruption, taking advantage of his position to collect illicit payments. Investigators are scrutinizing his financial transactions and looking into other individuals who may have been part of the scheme.
The CBI’s First Information Report (FIR) details how Bhullar allegedly instructed all bribe collections to be handled through Krishna. Krishna, in turn, reportedly pressured complainants to make timely payments. In one recorded phone call, Krishna reminded a complainant about overdue instalments, saying, “The August payment was not paid, the September payment was not paid,” highlighting the systematic nature of the alleged corruption.
Following the arrests, the CBI conducted extensive raids across several locations associated with Bhullar, including his residences and properties in Ropar, Mohali, and Chandigarh. Officials seized assets and documents believed to be linked to the corrupt practices, aiming to trace the full extent of illicit transactions and any accomplices involved.
The arrests have sparked reactions across Punjab, with public sentiment ranging from outrage to relief. Many citizens expressed disbelief that a high-ranking officer entrusted with enforcing the law could allegedly operate a “bribe system” for personal enrichment. Political parties and civil society groups have also called for swift action, demanding transparency and accountability in the ongoing investigation.
Analysts note that the case exposes systemic vulnerabilities in governance and law enforcement, emphasizing the need for stricter oversight mechanisms. “When those in charge of protecting the law exploit it for personal gain, public trust is eroded,” said a governance expert. “The CBI’s action here is significant because it shows that even senior officials are not above the law.”
For the CBI, the focus now is on unraveling the full network of corruption and understanding how far Bhullar’s influence extended. The agency has indicated that more arrests and asset seizures cannot be ruled out as the investigation progresses. The probe also aims to determine whether others in the police department or outside were complicit in facilitating these bribe collections.
As of now, Bhullar remains in CBI custody, and further interrogations are expected to shed light on the alleged “sewa-paani” system, the sources of his wealth, and the identities of anyone else involved. Meanwhile, Krishna is being questioned for his role in the scheme, with authorities hoping that his cooperation will provide insights into the extent of the alleged corruption.
The case has drawn national attention, illustrating both the scale of corruption possible in high offices and the determination of investigative agencies to pursue accountability. For the people of Punjab, the unfolding investigation serves as a stark reminder of the need for vigilance and the importance of independent mechanisms to check power and protect public trust.