ED Raids 11 Locations in Punjab in Money-Laundering Probe Against Ex-DIG Bhullar

Chandigarh- The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday carried out raids at 11 locations across Punjab in connection with a money-laundering investigation involving former police officer Harcharan Singh Bhullar.

Officials said the searches were conducted in cities including Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Patiala, Nabha and Jalandhar under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The operation targeted properties linked to the accused, his associates, and suspected benamidars allegedly holding assets on his behalf.

The case stems from an earlier investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which arrested Bhullar, a 2009-batch IPS officer, in October 2025 while he was serving as Deputy Inspector General in the Ropar range. The arrest followed allegations by a scrap dealer that the officer demanded regular bribes to settle a police case and allow business operations without interference.

Subsequent raids by the CBI uncovered substantial unaccounted wealth, including ₹7.5 crore in cash, gold jewellery, luxury watches, high-end vehicles, and multiple immovable properties. Investigators later registered a disproportionate assets case, alleging that the officer accumulated wealth far beyond his known sources of income.

The ED’s current action aims to trace the proceeds of crime, identify hidden assets, and gather further evidence of financial irregularities. Officials said several premises under scrutiny are linked to individuals suspected of acting as fronts for the accused.

Sources added that documents and a diary recovered during earlier searches are being examined for possible links to a broader network involving businessmen, real estate players, and political connections.

Bhullar, who remains under suspension, was previously considered an influential officer and had been involved in high-profile investigations, including questioning senior political figures in drug-related cases.