ED Arrests Suspended Punjab DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar in Money-Laundering Caseਈਡੀ ਨੇ ਮੁਅੱਤਲ ਡੀਆਈਜੀ ਹਰਚਰਨ ਸਿੰਘ ਭੁੱਲਰ ਨੂੰ ਗ੍ਰਿਫ਼ਤਾਰ ਕੀਤਾ

The Enforcement Directorate on Friday arrested suspended Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar in a money-laundering case, and a special PMLA court in Chandigarh granted the agency eight days of custodial remand to trace the alleged money trail and what the agency called the larger nexus behind the offence. The allegations against Bhullar remain unproven.

What did the court decide on remand?

The ED had sought 14 days of custodial remand. Its special public prosecutor told the CBI court in Chandigarh that custodial interrogation was necessary to unearth the complete money trail and the larger nexus involved in the offence of money laundering, and to confront the accused with financial records and statements collected during the PMLA investigation. The court granted eight days.

Advocates SPS Bhullar and Karanjit Singh, appearing for the accused, opposed the remand application. Advocate SPS Bhullar argued that the application was frivolous and had been filed at a time when cross-examination of the complainant was underway, calling it an attempt to curtail the accused's constitutional right to a free and fair trial. He further argued that the ED had already called the accused's family members for interrogation many times and that all documents were already available with the investigating agencies, so there was no need for remand or arrest.

What is the money-laundering case about?

The ED registered its case on November 6, 2025, after Bhullar was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation on October 16, 2025, in a corruption case under Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 and Sections 7 and 7A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.

The CBI's FIR was registered on the complaint of Akash Batta, who alleged that Bhullar, then posted as DIG of the Ropar Range in the Punjab Police, had demanded illegal gratification through a private intermediary, Krishanu Sharda, for securing favourable treatment in an FIR registered at the Sirhind police station and for ensuring that no coercive steps were taken against the complainant's business.

After receiving the complaint, the CBI laid a trap. Sharda was first apprehended while allegedly accepting Rs 5 lakh as part of the demanded bribe from the complainant on October 16, 2025, and Bhullar was arrested on the same day.

Who is Harcharan Singh Bhullar?

Bhullar is a 2009-batch IPS officer who was serving as the Deputy Inspector General of Police of the Ropar Range when the CBI arrested him. He was suspended from service after his arrest. He has denied the allegations against him.

Who is Harcharan Singh Bhullar?

He is a 2009-batch IPS officer of the Punjab cadre who was serving as DIG of the Ropar Range before his suspension following his arrest by the CBI in October 2025.

What is the ED's money-laundering case about?

The ED registered its case in November 2025 based on the CBI's corruption case. The agency alleges that bribes demanded through an intermediary generated proceeds of crime, and it is now tracing the money trail and the wider network involved.

What did the PMLA court order?

The court granted the ED eight days of custodial remand of Bhullar — less than the 14 days the agency had sought — for interrogation about the money trail and the financial records collected during the probe.

Has Bhullar been convicted?

No. The charges are allegations. The remand only permits custodial interrogation during the investigation; nothing has been proved in court.