ED Raids In Punjab Over Money Laundering Probe Against Suspended DIG

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate on Monday carried out searches in several parts of Punjab in connection with the money laundering probe against suspended police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar and entities linked to him.

Around 11 establishments linked to Bhullar, his associates and suspected benamidars in Chandigarh, Ludhiana, Patiala, Nabha and Jalandhar are under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, officials said.

The searches were carried out with the support of central paramilitary personnel. The investigation came after the Enforcement Case Information Report was registered after a case was filed by the CBI. Investigators alleged that Bhullar sought illicit gratification through an intermediary to settle a criminal case and had assets disproportionate to his known sources of income. The purpose of the searches is to trace proceeds of crime, detect benami assets and collect evidence.

Bhullar, who was posted as DIG (Ropar Range), and his alleged middleman, Krishnau, were arrested by the CBI in October 2025 following a complaint from a scrap dealer.

The CBI had laid a trap in Chandigarh and arrested the middleman who allegedly accepted Rs 5 lakh as part of the alleged bribe of Rs 8 lakh. Additionally, Rs 7.50 million in cash and 2.5 kg of gold jewelery were seized from Bhullar’s premises.

The Supreme Court recently refused to entertain Bhullar’s bail plea and gave him the liberty to approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court if the trial does not start within two months.