Suspended Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Punjab Police, Harcharan Singh Bhullar, has approached the Punjab and Haryana High Court seeking regular bail after his arrest by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a bribery case. In his petition, the senior police officer has claimed he is a victim of false implication and has highlighted serious legal infirmities in the proceedings against him.
Petition Alleges False Case and Questions CBI's Jurisdiction
Filed through Advocate Nikhil Ghai on January 4, 2026, the bail plea portrays Bhullar as a decorated officer with over three decades of unblemished service. The 59-year-old contends there was no rational motive for him to demand illegal gratification, calling the allegations contrary to his established service record.
The case originates from an FIR registered on October 16, 2025, under the Prevention of Corruption Act and the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. The CBI alleges that Bhullar, through an associate named Krishanu, demanded a bribe from complainant Akash Batta to settle a pending cheating case (FIR No. 155 of 2023). Krishanu was allegedly caught red-handed with Rs 4 lakh during a trap on the same day.
Bhullar's petition argues the core of the trap pertains to the co-accused Krishanu, with no direct recovery from the DIG himself. It further asserts that the investigation is complete, with a final report filed on December 3, 2025, making further custodial interrogation unnecessary.
Key Legal Grounds for Bail: Custody Illegality and Witness Profile
The petition raises a significant jurisdictional challenge. It claims the FIR is invalid due to the absence of mandatory consent under the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act. Citing a Supreme Court judgment, the plea alleges the CBI engineered the trap in Chandigarh to create fictitious jurisdiction, while the primary alleged offence occurred in Punjab.
Another major ground is the alleged illegality in Bhullar's initial custody. The petition states he was taken into custody around 11:30 am on October 16, 2025, but his formal arrest was recorded only at 8 pm. He was produced before a magistrate after more than 24 hours, which the plea argues vitiates the fairness of the process.
Bhullar's lawyers have also pointed out that the prosecution case relies heavily on official witnesses, and the officer is already under suspension. They note the complainant, Akash Batta, has been granted protection by the High Court, eliminating any risk of witness tampering. The petition further describes Batta as a habitual offender, facing six prior FIRs.
Current Status and Previous Bail Attempts
Harcharan Singh Bhullar has remained in judicial custody since October 17, 2025, for an offence carrying a maximum sentence of seven years. His plea argues that continued incarceration under these circumstances amounts to punitive detention before trial.
This bail application follows the dismissal of his earlier plea by the trial court on January 2, 2026. In a related development concerning a disproportionate assets case, Bhullar was granted default bail on January 5, 2026. The High Court's decision on his latest regular bail request in the bribery case is now awaited.
