Chandigarh: A special CBI court in Chandigarh on Friday framed corruption charges against suspended Punjab Police DIG Harcharan Singh Bhullar and his alleged associate Krishanu Sharda after rejecting their discharge applications in a bribery case registered last year.
The case was registered on the complaint of Akash Batta, who alleged that Bhullar, then posted as DIG of the Ropar Range, demanded an illegal bribe through his alleged middleman, Krishanu Sharda, in exchange for extending favour in an FIR registered at Sirhind Police Station and ensuring that no stringent action was taken against the complainant’s business.
Following the complaint, the CBI laid a trap and allegedly caught Sharda on October 16, 2025, while accepting ₹5 lakh, stated to be part of the demanded bribe. Bhullar was arrested the same day, and the CBI filed its chargesheet in December 2025 under the provisions of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS).
During the hearing, counsel for the accused argued that the CBI lacked jurisdiction to register the case. However, CBI Public Prosecutor Narinder Singh opposed the discharge pleas and sought framing of charges.
After hearing both sides, the Special CBI Judge framed charges against both accused under Section 61(2) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and Sections 7 and 12 of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988.
The trial in the case is scheduled to commence on July 23, 2026.
