Punjab DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar suspended after arrest in ₹8 lakh bribery case; CM Bhagwant Mann reiterates zero-tolerance policy against corruption, vows strict action against guilty officials.

In a bold move reaffirming his administration’s commitment to clean governance, Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has suspended IPS officer DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar following his recent arrest in a corruption case. The chief minister stated that the suspension reflects the government’s unwavering “zero-tolerance” policy towards corruption, regardless of rank or position.

DIG Harcharan Bhullar was arrested on October 16 by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for allegedly demanding an ₹8 lakh bribe from a local scrap dealer. Subsequent raids at his residence led to the recovery of a staggering ₹7.50 crore in cash and 2.50 kilograms of gold jewellery, raising serious concerns about deep-rooted graft within the state machinery. Bhullar was remanded to judicial custody on October 17 by a CBI court.

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In his first official response to the incident, CM Mann emphasized that transparency, accountability, and integrity are the cornerstones of his administration’s governance model. “We have maintained a strict zero-tolerance stance since day one. Anyone involved in corruption—no matter how powerful—will face strict action,” said Mann in a press statement.

The chief minister also pointed out that corruption undermines public trust, weakens democratic institutions, and stalls progress. “Such malpractices are a betrayal of public service. Our government is determined to eliminate this menace at all levels,” he added.

Since assuming office in 2022, the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP)-led government in Punjab has made anti-corruption a key pillar of its administrative reforms. Mann reiterated that over the past four years, his government has not hesitated to act against corrupt officials or politicians, regardless of their status.

However, the incident has also drawn criticism from Punjab Governor Gulab Chand Kataria, who questioned the effectiveness of the state’s anti-corruption mechanisms. In a pointed remark, the Governor said it was “unfortunate” that despite a robust administrative apparatus, the state government failed to detect such a major corruption case internally, leaving it to central agencies to act.

The suspension of DIG Harcharan sends a clear message across the bureaucracy: the Punjab government will not shield anyone found guilty of corrupt practices. With ongoing investigations, more revelations could emerge, potentially implicating others.

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