Chandigarh- The secrets of Krishna Sharda, a close aide of arrested and suspended DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar in a bribery case, have started to be exposed. The CBI’s continuous interrogation and forensic examination of his digital trail have revealed the ‘payment for protection’ network flourishing in the ruling circles of Punjab.
Sources associated with the investigation told ‘The Tribune’ that Sharda’s phones, chat records and personal diaries have revealed that two dozen senior IAS and IPS officers were in touch with him daily. Apart from this, a long list of civil and police officers of the state has also come to light.
Several government and private employees associated with senior officers and leaders have also been identified as Sharda’s ‘sources’ who used to leak information about government orders and notifications in advance. Krishna allegedly used this information for blackmail, extortion and extortion. He shared this information with his ‘masters’ through secret channels.
“He presented himself as someone who could make or break a career and control police action, transfers, postings and even legal matters,” the officer said. His influence was also felt in Mohali, Ropar, Fatehgarh Sahib, Patiala, Ludhiana, Jalandhar and his hometown Nabha. The CBI investigation has also revealed that Saradha was in touch with two or three other brokers.
His movement in the corridors of power in Chandigarh-based Punjab without any official permission or position was common. Now the case is also being seen as a serious breach of security and leakage of intelligence.
Sources said that Sharda had emerged as a hockey player and wanted to join the Punjab Police but when his wish was not fulfilled, he infiltrated political circles in the early 2000s by becoming a part of former cricketer and former minister Navjot Singh Sidhu's team.
Later, he had made contacts with several parties and officers. The source said that when all other avenues were closed, everyone used to approach Krishna Sharda and now they are all afraid that Krishna Sharda knows everything about them.
Sharda's arrest has shaken officers, political leaders, businessmen and even media persons. He has been in CBI custody for nine days since October 29 but he has been misleading the investigating officers and avoiding important questions.