New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is examining alleged financial dealings between Punjab-based intermediary Kirshanu Sharda and serving and retired government officials after encrypted WhatsApp conversations recovered from his mobile phone reportedly revealed references to payments and offers linked to official favours.
According to reports, the conversations allegedly mention three IAS officers, including one retired officer, an IPS officer, a Punjab Police Service (PPS) officer and a Punjab Civil Services (PCS) officer.
The agency is examining the digital evidence as part of its money-laundering investigation linked to a bribery case involving Sharda and suspended Punjab Police officer Harcharan Singh Bhullar. ED sources indicated that the officials mentioned in the conversations may be called for questioning.
The alleged transactions relate to official interventions ranging from government file clearances and access to confidential project documents to administrative orders, police postings and the issuance of no-objection certificates (NOCs).
What Do the Recovered WhatsApp Chats Allegedly Reveal?
According to the investigation details, the conversations contain references to several alleged transactions involving government officials.
The reported allegations include:
- Retired IAS officer: An alleged payment exceeding ₹10 lakh in connection with the processing of government files and clearances for forestry projects.
- Another IAS officer: Alleged payments to facilitate permanent entry passes to the state secretariat and secure favourable administrative orders for private entities.
- Third IAS officer: An officer then serving in the Housing and Urban Development Department allegedly shared internal project files and confidential information with Sharda in exchange for cash payments totalling approximately ₹10 lakh.
- PPS officer: The chats reportedly refer to a cash offer of ₹10 lakh involving a police officer who was then serving as a Senior Superintendent of Police. The alleged arrangement concerned the suspension of a sub-inspector and influencing police postings.
- IPS officer: A separate conversation reportedly refers to a ₹2-crore settlement paid directly to a complainant in connection with a sensitive harassment case. However, the conversation does not specify whether any money was paid to the IPS officer.
- PCS officer: The intermediary allegedly used a PCS officer to channel money for securing government NOCs for private nursing colleges and medical centres.
These details are based on the contents of the chats as described by people familiar with the ED investigation. The allegations have not been established in court.
How Did Kirshanu Sharda Become Part of the Punjab Bribery Case?
Kirshanu Sharda was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on October 16, 2025, along with then Punjab Police Deputy Inspector General Harcharan Singh Bhullar.
The arrests followed a complaint by a scrap dealer from Punjab, who alleged that Bhullar had demanded illegal gratification through Sharda in exchange for favourable treatment in a police case registered at Sirhind police station.
According to the CBI investigation, the alleged bribe demand was ₹8 lakh. Sharda was caught accepting ₹5 lakh from the complainant during a trap operation.
The CBI subsequently conducted searches at properties linked to Bhullar and reported recovering substantial cash, jewellery and other assets.
In October 2025, the agency also registered a separate disproportionate-assets case against Bhullar to investigate assets allegedly beyond his known sources of income.
CBI Had Also Flagged Suspected Transactions Involving Other Officials
The examination of Sharda’s mobile phone is not the first instance of investigating agencies looking into possible links between the intermediary and other public servants.
In February 2026, The Tribune reported that the CBI had informed a Chandigarh court that its examination of mobile phones seized from Bhullar and Sharda had revealed chats and records indicating suspected instances of illegal gratification involving other public servants and private individuals.
The agency had stated that the roles of these individuals were being examined separately.
Separately, the ED initiated a money-laundering investigation linked to the original bribery case. In September 2026, The Tribune reported that the ED had sought a production warrant to question Sharda, who was then lodged in judicial custody at Model Jail, Chandigarh.
The latest reported findings from the encrypted conversations have brought the alleged dealings with additional serving and retired officials under scrutiny.
Investigation Continues
The ED is examining the recovered conversations and related records to establish the nature of the alleged financial transactions and identify the people involved.
The reported possibility of summoning the officers mentioned in the chats marks a further stage in the investigation. However, their appearance in the conversations does not by itself establish that they received illegal payments or committed any offence.
The investigation remains ongoing, and the allegations against the officials will require independent verification and evidence.
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