Harcharan Singh Bhullar, the recently suspended Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of the Ropar Range in Punjab, is now facing charges under the Excise Act following a significant seizure at his farmhouse in Bondli village, Samrala. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) recovered 108 bottles of liquor during the search, which led the Samrala police to register a case under Sections 61, 1, and 14 of the Excise Act.
The FIR was filed based on a statement provided by a CBI inspector. Alongside the liquor, authorities also discovered 17 bullets at the residence. However, charges under the Arms Act were not immediately included, as verification is ongoing to determine whether the bullets belonged to licensed weapons.
The CBI handed over the seized liquor to Excise Inspectors in the presence of Samrala police officials. During the operation, investigators also uncovered Rs 7.5 crore in cash, 2.5 kilograms of gold jewelry, and 26 luxury watches, including brands such as Rolex and Rado. In addition, documents related to more than 50 immovable properties held by family members or suspected benami entities, multiple bank account details, locker keys, four firearms, and 100 live cartridges were recovered.
Bhullar’s case comes amid ongoing investigations into alleged corruption and bribery, highlighting a wider probe into financial misconduct within the Punjab Police. The authorities are now examining the seized assets and financial records to trace any connections to illicit activities.
The case is being closely monitored by law enforcement agencies, as it reflects broader efforts to curb illegal liquor trade, money laundering, and corruption among officials. The investigation is ongoing, with further charges likely once verification of firearms, bullets, and other assets is complete.
This development marks a significant enforcement action by the CBI and Punjab Police against alleged corruption at senior levels, signaling the authorities’ commitment to stringent legal action and accountability.
