Former Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar held
In a major crackdown on corruption within the Punjab Police, the Enforcement Directorate (ED)’s Chandigarh Zonal Office on October 9 arrested former Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Harcharan Singh Bhullar, who once headed the Ropar Range, under Section 19 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002.
The Special Court (PMLA) in Chandigarh has granted the agency eight days of custody to interrogate the senior officer in a case involving alleged disproportionate assets and the laundering of proceeds of crime.
This arrest is a significant step in an investigation that started after the CBI and the Anti-Corruption Branch in Chandigarh filed FIRs against Bhullar, an alleged middleman named Krishanu Sharada, and others under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Investigators say the case involves a bribe-for-favour scheme. Bhullar is accused of asking Sharada for Rs 8 lakh to gain an unfair advantage in a criminal case and accepting Rs 5 lakh.
The money was reportedly meant to settle a case and protect a complainant from further police action, raising serious concerns about public trust in law enforcement. What has drawn particular attention is the scale of the assets. The large amount of assets found during searches has attracted significant attention.
CBI teams recovered Rs 37 crore in cash and valuables worth another Rs 2.32 crore from Bhullar’s properties and related places. The items included cash, gold jewellery, luxury cars, bank deposits, and documents for commercial properties. Later, the Enforcement Directorate seized another Rs 8.35 lakh in cash and froze bank accounts with about Rs 1.42 crore.
Officials say these findings show clear signs of money laundering, with the money allegedly used to buy real estate, jewellery, and other assets for Bhullar and his family.8, describing him as a key broker who facilitated the alleged illicit transactions for the former DIG. His detention helped investigators piece together the network through which cash demands were reportedly routed and assets concealed.
ED sources say the probe is examining not only the specific bribe episode but also a broader pattern of wealth accumulation far beyond Bhullar’s known sources of income during his service.
This case has led to new questions about how the Punjab Police oversee themselves, especially in handling criminal complaints and the use of intermediaries.
Bhullar has not yet made a public statement about the allegations. The large amount of unexplained cash and assets found has sparked debate about accountability among senior police officers. Legal experts point out that under the PMLA, once there is clear evidence of disproportionate wealth, the accused must explain the source of the assets.
The inquiry is still very much underway. The ED is still looking at further properties, examining financial links to Bhullar’s family and associates, and checking whether the money in question was used for any other purchases or investments. Over the eight days of custody, they plan to go into great detail with Bhullar on the flow of funds, the role of the intermediaries and who the assets actually belong to.
