New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday indicated that it may dismiss the bail plea filed by Punjab Police’s suspended Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Harcharan Singh Bhullar in a corruption case being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
A Bench of Chief Justice of India (CJI) Surya Kant and 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.
During the hearing, Bhullar’s counsel also urged the top court to permit the examination of two shadow witnesses.
The CJI-led Bench indicated that it would examine the bail plea after certain witnesses had been examined.
Adjourning the hearing, CJI Surya Kant remarked: “100 per cent case of dismissal! You want to dismiss it now or later?”
The matter has now 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 granted him liberty to renew his plea before the Punjab and Haryana High Court if the trial did not commence within two months.
The High Court had subsequently dismissed Bhullar’s second successive bail petition on August 10, observing that there had been no “drastic or substantive change” in circumstances since the dismissal of his previous bail plea. It had recorded that the trial had commenced, though no witness had been examined at that stage.
A single-judge Bench of Justice Manish Batra had also rejected Bhullar’s contention that the CBI lacked jurisdiction to investigate the case, holding that the fact that he was posted in Punjab did not invalidate the CBI probe as he was an IPS officer working under the control of the Central government.
It also observed that the petitioner and co-accused were arrested in Chandigarh and that a substantial part of the cause of action had taken place there.
The case stems from a complaint submitted by businessman Akash Batta, alleging that Bhullar, then posted as DIG, Ropar Range, had demanded illegal gratification through co-accused Krishanu for taking no coercive steps against his business in a criminal case and for securing favourable treatment.
According to the prosecution, conversations between Bhullar and Krishanu were recorded during discreet verification of the complaint.
One such conversation allegedly revealed that Bhullar had instructed Krishanu to collect Rs 8 lakh from the complainant. A trap was laid at Chandigarh on October 16, 2025, during which Krishanu was allegedly apprehended while accepting Rs 5 lakh from the complainant as part of the gratification allegedly demanded by Bhullar. Bhullar was arrested on the same day.
While refusing bail, the High Court observed that the allegations, along with the recorded conversations, verification report and trap proceedings, “prima facie make out a case for demand of gratification, direction or collection of the part of the same through the co-accused Krishanu”.
It also held that the fact that no recovery had been effected from Bhullar was not of much substance since the co-accused had allegedly accepted Rs 5 lakh on his behalf.
The High Court further observed that material witnesses were yet to be examined and that the apprehension of Bhullar influencing or intimidating them could not be ignored, keeping in view the position he had held in the police hierarchy.
“There exists a reasonable apprehension that he may attempt to influence witnesses, tamper with witness or otherwise obstruct the course of proceedings,” the High Court had said, adding that it was not persuaded to exercise its discretion to grant bail. The High Court dismissed Bhullar’s second successive regular bail petition, even as he has remained in custody since October 16, 2025.
(IANS)
