Move over, Bollywood millionaires—Punjab’s DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar is grabbing headlines for all the wrong reasons. The senior police officer, once known for leading major drug probes, now finds himself at the centre of a high-stakes corruption scandal after being arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for allegedly accepting an ₹8 lakh bribe.
Bhullar’s dramatic downfall began when a scrap dealer from Mandi Gobindgarh approached the CBI, claiming that the DIG had demanded a “monthly payment” — infamously referred to as sewa-paani — to settle a 2023 FIR and keep police pressure at bay. Following a swift sting operation, CBI officers caught Bhullar red-handed inside his Mohali office. He was later produced in court and remanded to 14 days of judicial custody until October 31. His lawyer, H.S. Dhanoa, confirmed the order, while Bhullar maintained, “The court will give justice.”
But what investigators found next shocked even seasoned officers. A series of CBI raids uncovered a lifestyle so lavish that it could rival a movie star’s — a collection of luxury watches, gold, cash, and property documents that painted a picture of excess rather than service.
From Bhullar’s upscale residence in Chandigarh, the CBI seized ₹7.5 crore in cash, 2.5 kilograms of gold jewellery, and 26 designer watches, including Rolex and Rado. Investigators also recovered documents related to over 50 properties allegedly registered under family and benami names, multiple bank accounts, locker keys, and four firearms with live ammunition.
The raids didn’t end there. At Bhullar’s Samrala farmhouse, officers discovered 108 bottles of imported liquor, ₹5.7 lakh in cash, and 17 more cartridges — adding to the growing list of evidence pointing toward a deep-rooted money trail.
The CBI also arrested Bhullar’s alleged aide, Kirshanu, from whose home ₹21 lakh in cash and several incriminating documents were recovered. Sources say the duo ran a long-running extortion racket disguised as “sewa-paani,” where businessmen regularly paid off police officials in exchange for protection from harassment.
Bhullar’s fall from grace carries a political shadow as well. The disgraced officer hails from a powerful lineage — the son of former Punjab DGP Mahal Singh Bhullar and brother of ex-Congress MLA Kuldeep Singh Bhullar. Once regarded as a diligent officer who led SIT investigations in high-profile narcotics cases, including those involving SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia, Bhullar’s story has now turned into one of power, privilege, and public disgrace.
For now, DIG Bhullar remains in judicial custody, stripped of his uniform but surrounded by questions about how deep his network of influence and corruption runs. The CBI continues to trace the money trail, scrutinising property links and possible political connections as one of Punjab’s most sensational corruption cases unfolds.
