New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday made a strong observation while hearing the second bail plea of suspended Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar in a bribery case being investigated by the CBI.
A three-judge bench headed by Chief Justice of India Surya Kant remarked, “This is 100 per cent a case for dismissal. Do you want to get it dismissed now or later?” The hearing was adjourned for four weeks, with the bench indicating that it would consider the bail plea after statements of some key witnesses are recorded.
Bhullar has been in custody since October 16, 2025, after his arrest by the CBI in the corruption case.
CBI bribery case
The case stems from a complaint filed by Akash Batta on October 11, 2025, alleging that Bhullar had sought a bribe through a person identified as Krishanu. The alleged payment was sought in return for providing relief to the complainant’s business and avoiding stringent action in an FIR registered at Sarhind police station.
The CBI registered an FIR on October 16, 2025, under Sections 7 and 7-A of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, and Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023.
According to the allegations, conversations between Bhullar and Krishanu were recorded. In one such conversation, Bhullar allegedly instructed Krishanu to collect ₹8 lakh from the complainant.
During Tuesday’s hearing, Bhullar’s counsel argued that statements of the complainant and a key witness had not yet been recorded. The lawyer also sought permission for the statements of two shadow witnesses to be recorded.
The Supreme Court had rejected Bhullar’s earlier bail plea on April 10, while observing that he could approach the Punjab and Haryana High Court again if the trial did not commence within two months. The court had noted that the High Court’s decision denying bail appeared justified at that stage as statements of certain important witnesses were still required.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court had earlier rejected Bhullar’s bail plea on February 16. Bhullar had argued that, following his suspension, there was no longer any possibility of him influencing witnesses or tampering with evidence.
His counsel has also argued that the alleged offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act carry a maximum sentence of seven years and that Bhullar has already spent considerable time in custody.
