Chandigarh CBI court sends Punjab DIG Harcharan Bhullar to 14-day judicial custody in corruption case

A CBI court in Chandigarh on Friday sent Punjab Deputy Inspector General of Police (Ropar Range) Harcharan Singh Bhullar to a 14-day judicial custody following his arrest in a high-profile corruption case.

Bhullar, along with a middleman named Kirshanu Sharda, was arrested on Thursday for allegedly demanding and accepting a bribe of Rs 8 lakh from a scrap dealer to settle a 2023 FIR.

The arrest came after a scrap dealer from Mandi Gobindgarh filed a complaint alleging that DIG Bhullar demanded monthly bribes—referred to as "sewa-paani"—in exchange for settling a 2023 FIR against him and ensuring no further police action on his business.

Following the arrests, the CBI raided Bhullar's residence in Sector 40, Chandigarh, where they seized approximately Rs 5 crore in cash, 1.5 kg of gold jewellery, documents related to immovable properties, keys to two luxury vehicles, 22 luxury watches, locker keys, 40 litres of imported liquor, and several firearms with ammunition.