In a significant development in the ongoing corruption investigation against suspended Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Bikramjit Singh Bhullar, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) executed coordinated raids at the residence of a prominent Patiala-based property consultant on Wednesday.
The federal agency descended upon the property consultant's home located in the upscale Urban Estate area of Patiala, conducting extensive searches that continued for several hours. According to sources familiar with the investigation, the raids are directly connected to the disproportionate assets case registered against the suspended police officer.
Background of the High-Profile Case
The investigation gained momentum after the CBI registered a formal case against DIG Bhullar earlier this year, alleging accumulation of wealth disproportionate to his known sources of income. The suspended officer, who previously served as the commandant of the 27th battalion of PAP in Jalandhar, has been under the scanner for substantial financial irregularities.
Sources indicate that the property consultant now under investigation allegedly played a crucial role in facilitating several high-value property transactions for the suspended police officer. The CBI's current focus is on uncovering documentary evidence that could establish money trails and identify benami properties linked to the case.
Search Operations and Evidence Collection
During the extensive search operation, CBI officials meticulously examined various documents, including:
- Property registration records and sale deeds
- Financial documents and bank statements
- Digital evidence including laptops and mobile devices
- Transaction records related to property deals
- Communication records between the involved parties
The investigation team seized several crucial documents and electronic devices that are expected to provide significant leads in establishing the money trail and identifying additional assets acquired through alleged corrupt practices.
Ongoing Investigation and Future Steps
The CBI has been building a comprehensive case against the suspended DIG, with investigators focusing on multiple properties and financial transactions that reportedly don't align with Bhullar's legitimate income. The agency is particularly interested in properties acquired through third parties and benami transactions.
Legal experts familiar with such cases suggest that the property consultant's cooperation could prove pivotal in uncovering the complete network of transactions and identifying all individuals involved in the alleged money laundering activities.
The investigation continues to unfold as the CBI pieces together evidence from multiple sources, with more developments expected in the coming weeks as the agency analyzes the seized documents and electronic evidence.
