Former DIG Bhullar sent to judicial custody till Nov 20; CBI tells court 'he is not cooperating in questioning'
PTC Web Desk: The five-day CBI remand of Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar ended on Tuesday after which he was produced before the Special CBI Court in Chandigarh. The court sent him to judicial custody and the next hearing in the case is scheduled for November 20, when Bhullar will be presented via video conferencing.
During the hearing, the CBI counsel told the court that DIG Bhullar was not cooperating during interrogation and was avoiding direct answers to the agency’s questions. Bhullar’s lawyer, HS Dhanoa, requested that his client be provided medical facilities inside jail. The judge advised him to submit the request to the jail authorities.
Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has entered the probe. An ED team reached the CBI office in Chandigarh to collect records of IAS and IPS officers accused of owning benami properties. According to sources, nearly 50 Punjab officials are under investigation, including several serving in key field positions.
CBI sources revealed that incriminating evidence of corrupt dealings was found from the mobile phone and electronic devices of arrested middleman Krishanu Sharda. The agency claims Sharda acted as a conduit for officers in transfer postings, FIR cancellations and case manipulations. After the ED reviews the records, names of several officers could become public.
Key findings so far:
During Bhullar’s questioning, the CBI found that several Punjab officials invested in real estate through Patiala-based property dealer Bhupinder Singh. Fourteen officers were identified: 10 IPS and 4 IAS.
Of the 10 IPS officers named, eight are currently serving in field positions while two are posted at the Punjab Police Academy. The four IAS officers reportedly have links to Mandi Gobindgarh.
The CBI conducted searches at Bhupinder Singh’s properties in Patiala and Ludhiana, recovering key documents related to benami assets.
The CBI report presented in court mentioned that Krishanu Sharda’s devices contained contacts of around 50 officers involved in corrupt transactions related to transfers, FIR registration or cancellation and arms license issuance.
On Monday, Krishnu Sharda was also sent to judicial custody after his four-day police remand ended. His lawyer requested a medical examination, citing that he was limping during his court appearance.
The ED is now officially part of the probe and will coordinate with the CBI to scrutinise financial records and property documents of senior Punjab officers allegedly involved in the benami property network.
- PTC NEWS
