Punjab DIG Bhullar sent to 14-day judicial custody in bribery case

Bhullar’s counsel, advocate HS Dhanoa, opposed the allegations and argued that his client was being falsely implicated. He told the court that Bhullar suffered from certain medical conditions and required regular medication. The judge allowed the request and directed the jail authorities to provide necessary medicines as prescribed. The court then remanded Bhullar and Sharda to judicial custody till October 31, directing that they be lodged at Burail Jail.

The searches lasted over 21 hours and led to the recovery of nearly Rs 5 crore in cash , with some estimates pegging the amount at Rs 7.5 crore. (File Photo)

As the hearing concluded, Bhullar told reporters outside the courtroom that he had full faith in the judiciary and would clear his name through due process. “The court will deliver justice; we will answer everything,” he said, calling the charges “false” and “motivated.”

Bhullar was arrested by the CBI on Thursday following a trap in Chandigarh, where Sharda was allegedly caught red-handed accepting Rs 8 lakh bribe from Mandi Gobindgarh-based scrap dealer Akash Batra. The complaint, filed by Batra at the CBI office in Chandigarh on October 11, alleged that Bhullar had been demanding monthly “sewa-paani” payments of Rs 5 lakh to settle a 2023 FIR registered against him at Sirhind police station and to prevent any interference in his business.

The FIR has been registered under provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act, including those related to demand and acceptance of illegal gratification, and section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita pertaining to criminal conspiracy. The CBI has also invoked provisions for abetment and misuse of official position for personal gain.

Following the trap, CBI teams carried out extensive raids at Bhullar’s residence in Sector 40, Chandigarh, and at other locations across Punjab and Chandigarh. The searches, which lasted over 21 hours, led to the recovery of nearly ₹5 crore in cash (some estimates place the amount at ₹7.5 crore), 1.5 kg of gold jewellery worth about ₹1.9 crore, property documents relating to over 15 immovable assets, keys to luxury cars including a Mercedes and an Audi, 22 luxury watches, 40 litres of imported liquor, and several firearms, including a double-barrel gun, revolver, pistol and ammunition. The cash was recovered in ₹500 notesstuffed inside suitcases and bags.

Bhullar, who has served in key positions including DIG Patiala Range, Joint Director of Vigilance Bureau, and SSP of Mohali, Sangrur and Hoshiarpur, was also leading the SIT that probed the drug-smuggling case against Akali leader Bikram Singh Majithia.

Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria said the case underscored the need for accountability and transparency in the force.

The CBI indicated that searches and scrutiny of Bhullar’s assets are still ongoing and that a supplementary report may be filed once the forensic audit of seized material is complete.