The arrest of Punjab Police deputy inspector general (DIG) Harcharan Singh Bhullar has sent shockwaves through law enforcement circles. He stands accused in a sweeping bribery scandal, with ₹8 lakh at the heart of the case.

Bhullar, who was serving as DIG of the Ropar range, allegedly demanded not only that “8 fadne ne 8” (collect ₹8 lakh) but also insisted on recurring payments, referred to as “sewa-paani”, to shield a scrap dealer from further police action.

The Seizure: What the CBI Found

When investigators raided Bhullar's properties, they discovered a trove of assets and suspicious documents:

• Cash estimated at ₹7.5 crore

• Gold jewelry weighing about 2.5 kg

• 26 luxury watches, including names like Rolex and Rado

• Documents related to more than 50 immovable properties, many held by relatives or possibly benami

• Keys to lockers, records of multiple bank accounts

• Four firearms and 100 live cartridges

At a farmhouse in Samrala (owned by Bhullar), authorities recovered 108 bottles of liquor, ₹5.7 lakh in cash, and 17 live cartridges.
A middleman’s residence yielded ₹21 lakh in cash, along with documents thought to be incriminating.

Both Bhullar and his middleman were produced before the CBI Court in Chandigarh, which ordered them held in judicial custody for 14 days. 

The Bribe Plot: From Complaint to Trap

The scandal came to light after a scrap dealer, Akash Bhatta, lodged a complaint accusing Bhullar of using a go-between named Kirshanu to demand bribes. Bhatta claimed that Bhullar demanded “sewa-paani”—monthly payments—to stop police interference in his business and to resolve a 2023 FIR registered against him.

Bhullar is said to have threatened that if Bhatta did not comply, he would be falsely implicated in criminal cases.

The turning point in the investigation was a WhatsApp call recording, in which Bhullar is heard saying:
“8 fadne ne 8 (Collect ₹8 lakh from him)”
He then instructs: “Jinna denda nal nal fadi chal, ohnu kehde 8 kar de pura (Collect whatever he gives and ask him to give ₹8 lakh in total).”

In another intercepted call, Bhullar remarks:
“Edda kehna pata ki hai… kehnda hai August da ni aaya, September da ni aaya (You know what to say. Ask him that he didn’t give the bribe for August and September).”
This reference to missed monthly payments further highlights the system of extortion he allegedly ran.

The CBI confirmed the mobile number used in these calls was registered to DIG Bhullar, ending any doubt about the origin of the demand. 

The Raid and the Arrest

Bhullar was arrested on Thursday from his Mohali office. Simultaneously, CBI teams raided his Chandigarh residence in Sector 40. They claimed to have found ₹7 crore in cash, over 1.5 kg of gold, keys to a Mercedes and Audi, extensive property documents, 22 luxury timepieces, 40 litres of imported liquor, and multiple firearms (a pistol, revolver, double-barrel gun, and an air gun) along with ammunition.

In a sting operation, agents caught a person red-handed demanding and accepting ₹8 lakh on behalf of Bhullar in Sector 21, Chandigarh. According to the CBI:

“During the trap proceedings, a controlled call was made … he acknowledged the payment and directed the middleman and complainant to come to his office. Subsequently, the CBI team apprehended the public servant from his office and arrested the other accused in Chandigarh.”

Bhullar and Kirshanu now face charges under Sections 7 and 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The CBI's investigation is far from over, as they continue to probe Bhullar’s financial trail.

Bhullar’s Past and Reputation

Harcharan Singh Bhullar is a 2007-batch IPS officer, son of former Punjab DGP Mehal Singh Bhullar. He took charge as DIG of the Ropar range in November of last year. Before that, he served in leadership roles as DIG (Patiala range), joint director of vigilance, and SSP in districts like Jagraon, Mohali, Sangrur, Fatehgarh Sahib, Hoshiarpur, and Gurdaspur.

Earlier, Bhullar made headlines when leading the Punjab Police SIT that questioned Shiromani Akali Dal leader Bikram Singh Majithia in a drug smuggling case. However, he was later removed amid accusations of mismanagement and forceful tactics.

Father in Service — But Son’s Entry in Police Without UPSC

Bhullar’s rise and downfall underscore a dramatic journey. His lineage, career path, and the staggering allegations against him carry a lesson for aspirants and observers alike.

Bhullar’s father was a DGP, making him an IPS officer by training. Yet, in contrast, Harcharan entered the Punjab Police via the State Police Services (SPS) (or PCS) exam as a DSP. He later secured a promotion from SPS to IPS without passing the UPSC exam—a route allowed in certain circumstances.

At one time, things looked promising. Bhullar held significant posts in Haryana. He recently served as DIG of the Ropar Range—but all that changed once the bribery scandal broke. What emerged was a trove of ₹7.5 crore in cash and 2.5 kg of gold from his properties, painting a stark contrast to his earlier standing.

This case not only rattled the Punjab Police but also sends a strong message to students of civil services: rising in power is one thing, but a sudden fall can be ruinous.

Father’s Legacy: Major Mehal Singh Bhullar

Bhullar’s story is inseparable from that of his father, Major Mehal Singh Bhullar—a name well known in Punjab’s police history. He began his service in the Indian Army in the 1960s as a Major in the 13th Punjab Regiment through an Emergency Commission. He saw action in the 1962 China War, the 1965 Indo-Pakistan War, and during Mizoram counter-insurgency operations. Later, he transitioned to the IPS and played a key role against militancy in Punjab through the 1980s and 1990s.

In 2002–2003, he became DGP of Punjab. During his tenure, he pushed for militant surrenders and strengthened the Punjab Armed Police. He also spearheaded the creation of the PAP Complex and the Police DAV School in Jalandhar. Notably, he is remembered for encouraging sports and even training the wrestler known as “The Great Khali.”

Mehal Singh’s dedication inspired many, especially his son. Harcharan came from an ordinary family like his father, yet chose the path of public service, hoping to follow in his footsteps.

From SPS to IPS — The Path of Promotion

Usually, public aspirants aim for the UPSC Civil Services Exam to enter IAS or IPS ranks. But Harcharan’s route was different: he cleared the SPS exam, starting his career in the Punjab Police as a state service officer. Over the years, he served in many districts—Sangrur, Barnala, Fatehgarh Sahib, Hoshiarpur, Khanna, Jagraon, Gurdaspur, Mohali—rising through the ranks.

As SSP of Mohali, he was credited with controlling crime. In 2016, on a UPSC recommendation, he was promoted from SPS to IPS. Later, in 2023, he became DIG. On November 27, 2024, he formally took charge of the Ropar Range, Rupnagar. There, he pushed anti-drug campaigns, clamped down on illegal trade, and led the SIT investigation in the drug case against SAD leader Bikram Singh Majithia.

For many civil service hopefuls, he was a model: showing how dedication and performance in state services could still lead to a central service post.

On October 11, 2025, a scrap dealer filed a complaint with the CBI in Chandigarh. He accused DIG Bhullar of demanding ₹8 lakh under threat of a false FIR. WhatsApp call logs revealed Bhullar giving directions to a middleman. Over a monitoring period of 10 days, the CBI laid its trap.

On October 16, Bhullar was caught accepting the first installment of ₹5 lakh in his Mohali office. Teams from Delhi and Chandigarh simultaneously raided his Mohali office, a Sector 40 bungalow, and a farmhouse in Khanna. They recovered:

• ₹7.5 crore in cash (in three bags and two briefcases)

• 1.5 kg of gold

• 22 luxury watches

• 40 litres of foreign liquor

• A revolver, pistol, and airgun

• Luxury vehicles (like BMW and Mercedes)

• Documents for 15 properties

• Bank locker keys

Bhullar’s journey holds a powerful lesson: while bypassing UPSC via state services is possible, integrity cannot be compromised. Students should aim for UPSC with strong ethical grounding. But if you begin in State Civil Services, good performance, clean conduct, and accountability can still lead you to become an IAS or IPS—or fulfill your dreams in public service.