Punjab IPS Officer Caught Under Bribery Scandal: Rs 5 Crore Cash, Mercedes, 22 Luxury Watches Seized
Punjab IPS Officer caught under bribery scandal; Rs 5 crore cash, Mercedes, luxury watches, jewellery seized by CBI in massive corruption case
Punjab IPS Officer Caught Under Bribery Scandal: CBI Seizes Rs 5 Crore Cash, Mercedes, 22 Luxury Watches and Other Assets from Senior DIG Bhullar
Punjab IPS officer Harcharan Singh Bhullar, serving as Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Ropar Range, Punjab, has been arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a high-profile bribery scandal. The investigation began when a scrap dealer, Akash Batta, filed a complaint alleging that Bhullar had demanded an initial bribe of Rs 8 lakh, followed by regular “settlement” payments, under threat of implicating him in a fabricated case.
The CBI laid a trap in Chandigarh’s Sector 21 to verify Batta’s allegations. During the operation, Bhullar’s associate Krishna was caught accepting Rs 8 lakh on behalf of the IPS officer. Following the controlled handover, a recorded call was arranged between Batta and Bhullar, during which the DIG acknowledged the payment and instructed both men to visit his office. Bhullar was then traced to his Mohali office, where the CBI arrested him along with Krishna.
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The investigation took a shocking turn when officials raided premises linked to Bhullar, uncovering massive unexplained wealth. Authorities seized approximately Rs 5 crore in cash, 1.5 kg of jewellery, property documents, and assets across Punjab. Luxury vehicles, including a Mercedes and an Audi, were found along with 22 high-end watches. Other items recovered include keys to lockers, 40 litres of imported liquor, and firearms, including a double-barrel gun, a pistol, a revolver, and an airgun, with accompanying ammunition.
According to the FIR filed by the CBI, Bhullar demanded that the bribe payments be routed through his associate Krishna. The elaborate operation not only confirmed Batta’s claims but also exposed the DIG’s involvement in systematic corruption. The raid highlighted the scale of illicit wealth accumulated by a senior police officer and raised serious concerns about the integrity of law enforcement in the state.
The arrest of Punjab IPS officer Harcharan Singh Bhullar has sent shockwaves across the state’s administrative circles. The CBI’s prompt action in laying a trap, capturing the bribe, and uncovering hidden assets demonstrates the agency’s commitment to tackling corruption at high levels. With evidence of Rs 5 crore in cash, luxury vehicles, expensive watches, and firearms, the case is likely to be a landmark in the investigation of police corruption in Punjab.
Bhullar’s arrest has prompted discussions about stricter monitoring of senior officials and measures to prevent misuse of power. The case also highlights the importance of whistleblowers like Akash Batta, whose complaint triggered the investigation that led to the exposure of large-scale bribery and accumulation of illicit wealth.
The CBI is expected to continue its investigation, tracing additional assets and connections to fully uncover the extent of Bhullar’s corrupt activities. Legal proceedings are underway, and the scandal has become a major talking point in national media, emphasizing the critical need for transparency and accountability within law enforcement agencies.
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