New Delhi, September 15, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Supreme Court on Tuesday indicated that it may dismiss the regular bail plea of suspended Punjab Police Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Harcharan Singh Bhullar in a corruption case being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
A Bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant and comprising Justices Joymalya Bagchi and V. Mohana adjourned the matter for four weeks after Bhullar’s counsel submitted that the complainant and a material witness had not yet been examined.
Bhullar’s counsel also urged the court to permit the examination of two shadow witnesses. The Bench indicated that it would consider the bail plea after certain witnesses had been examined.
While adjourning the matter, CJI Surya Kant remarked, “100 per cent case of dismissal! You want to dismiss it now or later?”
The matter has been directed to be listed on October 27.
Bhullar has approached the apex court seeking regular bail in the corruption case registered under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.
The Supreme Court had earlier declined to grant him bail but allowed him to renew his plea before the Punjab and Haryana High Court if the trial did not commence within two months.
The High Court subsequently dismissed his second successive bail petition on August 10, observing that there had been no “drastic or substantive change” in circumstances since his earlier bail plea was rejected. It noted that the trial had commenced, although no witness had been examined at that stage.
Justice Manish Batra of the High Court also rejected Bhullar’s contention that the CBI lacked jurisdiction to investigate the case. The court held that his posting in Punjab did not invalidate the probe as he was an IPS officer working under the control of the Central government. It also noted that Bhullar and a co-accused were arrested in Chandigarh and that a substantial part of the alleged cause of action had occurred there.
The case stems from a complaint by businessman Akash Batta, who alleged that Bhullar, then DIG, Ropar Range, had demanded illegal gratification through co-accused Krishanu in return for taking no coercive action against his business in a criminal case and for providing favourable treatment.
According to the prosecution, conversations between Bhullar and Krishanu were recorded during discreet verification of the complaint. One conversation allegedly showed Bhullar instructing Krishanu to collect Rs 8 lakh from the complainant.
A trap was laid in Chandigarh on October 16, 2025, during which Krishanu was allegedly caught accepting Rs 5 lakh from the complainant as part of the gratification allegedly demanded by Bhullar. Bhullar was arrested the same day and has remained in custody since then.
While rejecting his bail plea, the High Court said the allegations, recorded conversations, verification report and trap proceedings prima facie indicated a case of demand of gratification and its collection through the co-accused.
The court also held that the absence of any recovery from Bhullar was not significant, as the co-accused had allegedly accepted Rs 5 lakh on his behalf.
The High Court further noted that material witnesses were yet to be examined and that the possibility of Bhullar influencing or intimidating them could not be ignored given the position he had held in the police hierarchy.
It had observed that there was a reasonable apprehension that he could attempt to influence witnesses, tamper with evidence or otherwise obstruct the proceedings, and declined to exercise its discretion in favour of bail.
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