Breaking: DIG Harcharan Bhullar sent to 14-day judicial custody
Harshabab Sidhu
Chandigarh, October 17, 2025: IPS officer Harcharan Singh Bhullar was sent to 14-day judicial custody by the CBI Special Court Chandigarh on Friday. He was arrested yesterday by the Central Bureau of Investigation in connection with a bribery case involving ₹8 lakh.
The senior Indian Police Service officer, from the 2009 batch and currently serving as DIG of the Ropar Range in Punjab, Bhullar was apprehended along with a private individual for allegedly demanding a bribe of ₹8 lakh.
As per the CBI, the officer also sought recurring monthly illegal payments from the complainant to “settle” an FIR registered against the complainant and to prevent further coercive or adverse police action on their business.The CBI registered the case on October 16, 2025.
A trap operation led to the private individual being caught red-handed while accepting the bribe money on behalf of the DIG at Sector 21, Chandigarh. A controlled call to the officer revealed his acknowledgment of the payment and instruction to meet at his office. Both accused were arrested subsequently.
Searches conducted by the CBI at premises linked to the officer uncovered cash amounting to approximately ₹5 crore (and counting), jewellery weighing about 1.5 kg, property documents in Punjab, keys to luxury vehicles including a Mercedes and Audi, 22 luxury watches, locker keys, and 40 liters of imported liquor bottles. Firearms recovered included a double barrel gun, pistol, revolver, and airgun with ammunition. The middleman was found with ₹21 lakh in cash.
"Inside the court complex, Bhullar said he will present all aspects before the court, and the court will deliver complete justice."