CBI Raid / Rs 5 Cr Cash, Luxury Cars, High-end Watches Found At IPS Officer’s Residence During CBI Raid
Key Points
The 2009-batch IPS officer, who was posted as the DIG of Ropar Range, was arrested along with a private individual, Krishna, who allegedly acted as his middleman.
New Delhi, Oct 17: In a significant crackdown, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has arrested Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Punjab Police, Harcharan Singh Bhullar, on charges of corruption and amassing vast unexplained wealth, including a staggering Rs 5 crore in cash, luxury vehicles, watches and jewellery.
The 2009-batch IPS officer, who was posted as the DIG of Ropar Range, was arrested along with a private individual, Krishna, who allegedly acted as his middleman.
The case originated from a complaint filed by a scrap dealer, Akash Batta, in Fatehgarh Sahib. The complainant alleged that DIG Bhullar demanded Rs 8 lakh as a bribe and monthly "settlement" payments in exchange for not framing him in a false case related to his business.
The CBI's FIR stated that Bhullar allegedly demanded payments through his associate Krishna, who repeatedly pressured the complainant. A recorded conversation quoted Krishna demanding unpaid payments for August and September.
Following the complaint, the CBI laid a trap and caught Krishna red-handed accepting the Rs 8 lakh bribe. A controlled phone call confirmed the DIG's involvement, leading to his immediate arrest from his Mohali office.
Subsequent raids on Bhullar's properties unveiled the scale of the alleged corruption.
The recoveries include approximately Rs 5 crore in cash, 1.5 kg of gold and jewellery, and documents for numerous immovable properties.
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✨The CBI also seized keys to a Mercedes and an Audi, 22 high-end wristwatches, 40 litres of imported liquor, and several firearms. An additional Rs 21 lakh was recovered from the middleman Krishna's residence.
DIG Bhullar is a high-profile officer who has held key positions, including leading a Special Investigation Team (SIT) probing a drug case against Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia and serving in the state's anti-drug campaign. He is also the son of former Punjab Director General of Police (DGP) MS Bhullar.
The arrests have sent shockwaves through the state's police establishment.
Both accused are set to be produced before a court, with the CBI continuing its investigation to unravel the full extent of the assets.
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