The Central Bureau of Investigation has arrested a senior Indian Police (IPS) officer of the 2009 batch, currently serving as DIG of Ropar Range in Punjab, along with another person in connection with ₹8 million bribe case. During the searches, they took possession ₹5 million in cash, jewelry, luxury vehicles and firearms. The officer also allegedly demanded ongoing monthly illegal payments from the complainant, the agency said on Thursday, October 16.
Punjab Deputy Inspector General Harcharan Singh Bhullar has been arrested in an alleged bribery case, PTI reported.
The CBI on Thursday registered a case against an accused IPS officer and his aide alleging that the officer demanded bribe ₹8 million and monthly illegal payments through his intermediary. This was in exchange for ‘settling’ the FIR against the complainant and ensuring that no further enforcement or adverse police action would be taken against his business.
The CBI caught the associate “in the act” of demanding and accepting ₹8 lakhs from the complainant on behalf of DIG in Sector 21, Chandigarh. During the operation, a call was made to the official in which he confirmed the payment and instructed the intermediary and the complainant to visit his office.
Later, the CBI team arrested the civil servant in his office and the two suspects in Chandigarh. The accused will be brought before the designated court on Friday, October 17. A search and further investigation is underway, the CBI said.
What assets did the CBI recover?
During searches at multiple places associated with the public official in Punjab and Chandigarh, the CBI recovered a large amount of cash and other assets.
• Cash of approx ₹5 million (and counting)
•Jewelry weighing approx. 1.5 kg
•Documents relating to immovable property and assets in Punjab
•Keys to two luxury vehicles, including a Mercedes and an Audi
•40 liters of imported alcohol bottles
• Firearms: 1 double barrel pistol, 1 pistol, 1 revolver, 1 air rifle with ammunition.
- Including property acquired from the intermediary ₹21 crore in cash.
Two officers arrested for accepting ₹5 million bribe
Meanwhile, in another incident, CBI has arrested the Chief Inspector of CGST & Central Excise Commissionerate Nashik for accepting bribe ₹5 lakh, the agency informed on Wednesday, October 15.
The CBI said that during searches of the residential and office premises, its officers found the accused ₹19 million in cash and other incriminating documents.
A case was registered on Tuesday on allegations that the accused had initially claimed undue advantage ₹50 lakhs to avoid taking legal action against the complainant in a matter related to IGST entry of a private company. This amount was later reduced to ₹22 million. It was also alleged that the accused had instructed the complainant to pay ₹5 lakhs on October 14 and the rest ₹17 million on 17 October.
