The CBI has told a Chandigarh court that it has been independently probing the roles of other officers whose names, chats and records of suspected transactions were found in the mobile phones seized from suspended Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar and his aide Kirshanu Sharda, both arrested in a corruption case.In the supplementary chargesheet submitted before the CBI court, the agency stated that during the investigation, two mobile phones belonging to Bhullar and one belonging to Sharda were seized. An analysis of the mobile data revealed certain chats indicating suspected instances of illegal gratification involving other public servants and private individuals.The extracted data and all other evidence — oral, documentary and electronic — were examined to ascertain whether any other public servant or private individual was involved in the present case.Upon detailed analysis, it emerged that no new or additional incriminating material directly linked with the present offences came on record. However, the analysis of the extracted data, corroborated by disclosures and seized documentary material (including a diary recovered from Sharda’s residence), prima facie indicated that accused Sharda was involved in managing and facilitating undue favours from senior officers and public servants of different departments in lieu of illegal gratification in Chandigarh.An analysis of WhatsApp chats extracted from the mobile phone of Bhullar revealed sustained and sensitive communications with private individuals, reflecting unauthorised sharing of confidential case-related information, active monitoring of court proceedings and influence over investigative and judicial processes.These materials point to independent transactions, separate from the present case, involving different beneficiaries, public servants, timelines and alleged bribe amounts.Therefore, the independent material that surfaced during further investigation, though not forming part of the present charge sheet, discloses credible information indicating suspected commission of offences relating to illegal gratification. These issues are being examined separately by the CBI as per law.The CBI had arrested Bhullar and his alleged aide Kirshanu Sharda on October 16, 2025, for seeking bribes from a complainant. The agency claimed that Bhullar was allegedly seeking illegal payments from Mandi Gobindgarh scrap dealer Akash Batta through Sharda. After verification, a trap was laid, and both accused were arrested with the bribe money.The Ministry of Home Affairs has also granted prosecution sanction against suspended DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar in the corruption case.
