Chandigarh, October 20, 2025: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Chandigarh, has widened its probe into the high-profile bribery case involving suspended Ropar Range DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar, who was arrested from Mohali for allegedly accepting a bribe of ₹8 lakh from a scrap dealer.
Following his arrest, the CBI constituted eight special teams that conducted simultaneous raids across Ambala, Mohali, Chandigarh, and Ropar, unearthing a trove of incriminating documents, electronic records, and property papers believed to be linked to disproportionate assets amassed by Bhullar.
Five IPS Officers Face Interrogation Over ‘Questionable Orders’
Sources have revealed that five IPS officers currently posted in the Ropar Range—who previously served under DIG Bhullar—are now under the CBI scanner.
Investigators suspect that Bhullar issued a series of “irregular directives” during his tenure, allegedly influencing administrative decisions and internal postings in exchange for illicit financial gains.
The CBI is expected to summon these officers for questioning this week to determine their possible complicity in the case. Officials said several internal files bear their signatures on matters now deemed under scrutiny.
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ED Joins Probe, Mulls Money Laundering Charges
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has now officially entered the investigation, seeking complete documentation of Bhullar’s properties and bank transactions from the CBI.
According to officials, the CBI will share all relevant files and seized records with the ED by Tuesday.
The ED is reportedly preparing to register a money-laundering case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) against Bhullar and his associates, focusing on tracing the flow of illicit funds and potential layering through shell entities.
71 Immovable Properties Under Review; Punjab Govt Begins Attachment Process
Parallel to the CBI and ED probes, the Punjab Government has launched an internal verification drive into 71 immovable properties linked to Bhullar, several of which are suspected to be held through benami transactions.
The state’s Revenue Department has sought copies of property documents seized during the CBI raids and is likely to initiate attachment proceedings once verification is complete.
Preliminary findings indicate that Bhullar invested heavily in real estate across Ropar, Mohali, Patiala, Ludhiana, and the Chandigarh periphery, allegedly using unaccounted wealth accumulated through his official position.
Scrap Dealer’s Video Statement Adds Twist: “DIG Forced Us to Sell Land”
In a significant development, a video statement by scrap dealer Akash Batta, the original complainant in the bribery case, surfaced on Sunday.
In the video, Batta claims that after the CBI raids, he received a call from a man based in the United States, who alleged that Bhullar had manipulated a family dispute between two brothers to forcibly acquire their ancestral land at throwaway prices.
Batta stated, “Bhullar used his position to pressure us into selling our land. Only after the CBI’s action did we realize the extent of his deceit.”
Possible CBI–ED Joint Operation on the Horizon
Senior officials did not rule out the possibility of a joint operation between the CBI and ED to trace the complete money trail and ownership network behind Bhullar’s assets.
If evidence of foreign investments or hawala links emerges, agencies may seek cooperation from Interpol and Indian diplomatic channels for international assistance.
Shockwaves in Punjab Police
The case has sent shockwaves through the Punjab Police establishment, with several senior officers reportedly revisiting old files and internal transactions.
State authorities have reiterated that the government will pursue a “zero-tolerance policy” toward corruption in the police force, regardless of rank or designation.
