Disproportionate assets case: CBI now raids premises linked to DIG Bhullar’s ‘associates’, recovers 50 property notes, Rs 20 lakh | Chandigarh News

The searches were conducted in the villages of Bukar Gujiran, Kalas Khurd and Senswal Kalan in Ludhiana; Residence in Gobind Nagar, Machiwara Khas; House in Sargodha Colony-A, Ludhiana; And two addresses in Patiala, namely Green House, Moti Bagh New Colony, and Seera Complex, Lower Mall.

During the operation, officials recovered Rs 20.5 lakh in cash, an Apple laptop, two mobile phones, DVR cameras, and more than 50 documents related to the property, including sale deeds and transaction papers. A spokesman for the Central Bank of Iraq said that documents related to the establishment of companies and financial transactions were also seized, indicating the possibility of concealment of assets.

“All recovered items have been duly seized and are being examined to determine their relationship to the disproportionate assets amassed by the accused public servant. The searches were conducted in the presence of independent witnesses following due process,” the officer said.

After Bhullar was arrested on corruption charges, the CBI also detained him on charges of disproportionate asset collection. The action began after the confiscation of documents and cash from his residence indicated huge wealth beyond his known sources of income during the Central Bank of Iraq’s investigation into the bribery case.

The central agency arrested Bhullar on October 16 along with an intermediary for allegedly accepting Rs 5 lakh as bribe from a scrap dealer by the name of ‘Sewa Pani’. During searches at his residence in Sector 40B, Chandigarh, in connection with the bribery case, the CBI seized cash worth over Rs 7.36 crore, jewelery worth over Rs 2.32 crore, 26 luxury branded watches, besides immovable property documents in the names of family members.

“Acquisition of agricultural lands measuring about 150 acres in Mohali, Hoshiarpur and Ludhiana districts and commercial properties in the name of HS Bhullar and his family members (including his wife Tejinder Kaur Bhullar, son Gurbartap Singh Bhullar and daughter Tejkiran Kaur Bhullar) and others,” the FIR alleged of disproportionate assets.

The CBI also found that Bhullar and his family members owned five vehicles, including luxury cars. “There is a balance of Rs 2.95 crore (approx) in five bank accounts and two fixed deposits in the name of Harcharan Singh Bhullar and his family members,” the statement said.

The CBI found that as per the income tax return filed by Bhullar for the assessment year 2025-26, his total annual income declared from all known sources amounts to Rs 45.95 lakh.

The agency alleged that the seizure of property documents, cash and other assets showed that Bhullar, “in collusion with unknown others, acquired assets disproportionate to his known sources of income” and “intentionally illicitly enriched himself” during his tenure in office.

She added that he was also unable to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding the confiscated assets.

“The role of the family members, who may have abetted Harcharan Singh Bhullar in acquiring assets disproportionate to his known sources of income, may be considered during the investigation,” the FIR stated.

The CBI said the examination period from August 1 to October 17 has been provisionally fixed based on recovery and seizure from the residence of the public employee and preliminary audit of the record.

“The period may be modified or revised during the investigation after verifying additional assets and sources of illicit enrichment,” she added.