LUDHIANA – In a major crackdown on internal corruption, the Punjab Police have suspended five personnel, including a high-ranking Inspector, following revelations of a ₹25 lakh bribery deal. The officers are accused of submitting a fraudulent verification report to secure a passport for Shehnaz Singh, alias “Bhinder,” a notorious international drug smuggler who has since fled the country.
The Conspiracy and the “Deal”
The investigation, led by SSP Surinder Lamba, uncovered a deep-rooted conspiracy within the department. It is alleged that Inspector Prabhjit Singh Gill of the CIA (Criminal Investigation Agency) staff, along with four subordinates, struck a deal worth ₹25 lakhs with the smuggler’s associates.
In exchange for the bribe, the officers allegedly:
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Falsified background verification records.
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Suppressed Bhinder’s extensive criminal history.
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Facilitated a fraudulent No Objection Certificate (NOC) from the Amritsar Passport Office.
With these clean documents in hand, Bhinder successfully obtained a legal passport and managed to flee India before the discrepancy was detected.
The Profile of ‘Bhinder’
Shehnaz Singh, a resident of Mandiala in Gurdaspur, is identified as a key player in a global narcotics syndicate. His criminal trajectory includes:
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North American Operations: Involved in large-scale cocaine trafficking across the United States, Canada, and Mexico.
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Return to India: Fled back to Punjab after his accomplices were apprehended by U.S. federal authorities.
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Previous Arrest: He was caught by the Tarn Taran Police in Ludhiana on May 9, 2025.
Despite his high-risk profile, Bhinder was released on bail by the High Court in December 2025, providing him the window to orchestrate his escape with the help of the accused officials.
Police Action and Current Status
A formal case has been registered at the Sadar Police Station against the five personnel. While all accused have been placed under immediate suspension, they remain at large.
“We have a zero-tolerance policy toward such breaches of integrity. A thorough investigation is underway, and multiple police teams are currently conducting raids to arrest the accused officers,” stated SSP Surinder Lamba.
The Accused at a Glance
| Rank | Name/Unit | Status |
| Inspector | Prabhjit Singh Gill (CIA Staff) | Suspended; Evading Arrest |
| Subordinates | 4 Other Personnel | Suspended; Under Investigation |
The incident has raised serious questions regarding the verification protocols at the Amritsar Passport Office, with investigators now looking into whether administrative staff were also complicit in accepting the fraudulent NOC. Authorities are also expected to initiate proceedings to revoke Bhinder’s passport and coordinate with international agencies to track his location.
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