'8 Fadne Ne 8': WhatsApp Call That Exposed Punjab DIG In Bribery Scandal

Punjab Police deputy inspector general (DIG) Harcharan Singh Bhullar, at the centre of a bribery scandal, was arrested by the CBI on Thursday following a complaint by a scrap dealer. Now a WhatsApp call has been revealed that proved incriminating in the case.As per the WhatsApp call, Punjab DIG Bhullar is heard telling his middleman, identified as Kirshanu, on the call, "8 fadne ne 8. Jinna denda nal nal fadi chal, ohnu kehde 8 kar de pura (Collect ₹8 lakh from him (scrap dealer Akash Bhatta). Collect whatever he gives and ask him to give ₹8 lakh in total)."Bhullar, the son of former Punjab DGP Mehal Singh Bhullar, also asked Kirshanu to ask for “sewa-paani”, and recurring monthly payments to ensure no police action was taken against Bhatta in a 2023

case. "Edda kehna pata ki hai... kehnda hai August da ni aaya, September da ni aaya (You know what to say. Ask him that he didn't give the bribe for August and September)."Following a raid at Bhullar's office and residence on Thursday, the CBI recovered ₹5 crore in cash, luxury cars (Mercedes and Audi), 22 luxury watches, imported liquor, and jewellery weighing 1.5 kg.Bhullar, a 2007-batch IPS officer, took charge as DIG of the Ropar range in November last year. Following a complaint by Bhatta on October 11, Bhullar allegedly threatened to falsely implicate him in criminal cases unless bribe demands were met.