Troubles mount for ex-Punjab DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar as middleman Krishanu Sharda sent to 9-day custody; more revelations likely

PTC Web Desk:  Troubles for suspended Punjab Police officer DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar continue to mount as the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has further intensified its probe into the multi-crore bribery case. The agency has secured the first nine-day remand of alleged middleman Krishanu Sharda , just two days before Bhullar’s 14-day judicial custody ends. Bhullar is scheduled to appear in court on October 31.

According to the public prosecutor, crucial evidence has been recovered from the lawyer representing Krishanu Sharda, which could further strengthen the case. The CBI has already completed the valuation of Bhullar’s assets and questioned his family members. Sources indicate that the agency may soon seek Bhullar’s remand for direct interrogation. The CBI has also submitted data of all those who met Krishnu inside Burail Jail to the court.

On the other hand, Krishanu Sharda's counsel opposed the CBI’s demand for custody, arguing that the accused is a national-level hockey player with connections among high-ranking officials and influential individuals. “It is common for such a person to have contact numbers of senior officials in Krishanu so far, and hence there was no justification for further remand.

However, the prosecution countered that over 100 GB of digital data had to be recovered from Krishanu’s mobile phone. “Several vital conversations and chat records have surfaced that could reveal the money trail and links to senior officials,” the CBI submitted. Investigators also suspect foreign links connected to the bribery network.

Sources said the CBI has traced two apartments in Dubai and three in Canada allegedly linked to Bhullar. During searches, the agency also found documents related to approximately 55 acres of land in Ludhiana and 20 commercial shops in Machhiwara. The CBI suspects that Bhullar used his tenure as DIG to acquire illegal wealth both in India and abroad. His passport has been seized to track his frequent foreign visits, including at least 10 trips to Dubai during service.

Investigators are now verifying whether these assets were purchased under benami (proxy) ownership, and more revelations regarding Bhullar’s undisclosed properties are expected in the coming days.

Background of the case 

On October 16, the CBI arrested former DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar for allegedly accepting a bribe from a businessman. During raids on his residence, the agency recovered Rs 7.5 crore in cash, luxury watches, several locker keys, and documents linked to multiple benami properties in India and abroad.

Krishnu, identified as the middleman in the case, is accused of introducing the complainant, Mandi Gobindgarh-based trader Akash Batta, to Bhullar. Both Bhullar and Krishnu were produced before the Chandigarh Special CBI Court, which remanded them to judicial custody.

Who is Krishnu?

Krishnu hails from Haridas Colony in Nabha, Patiala district, and belongs to a middle-class family. He is survived by his father, who works as a private electrician, and wife and a five-year-old son.

A national-level hockey player, Krishnu once represented Chandigarh’s hockey team as a central forward in national tournaments. After completing his graduation, he moved to Chandigarh.

According to complainant Akash Batta, Krishnu was aware of an FIR registered against him at Sirhind Police Station and allegedly informed DIG Bhullar about it. “He connected me with Bhullar and facilitated the meeting,” Batta told investigators, adding that others might also have been targeted in a similar manner.